Infant weaning knowledge and practices among mothers in ikenne local government area, ogun state

Project Abstract

Infant weaning is a critical stage in a child's development that requires appropriate knowledge and practices by mothers to ensure the child receives adequate nutrition and transitions smoothly to solid foods. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practices of infant weaning among mothers in Ikenne Local Government Area, Ogun State. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted, and a structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 300 mothers with infants aged 6 months to 2 years. The questionnaire included sections on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of infant weaning principles, and weaning practices. The results indicated that the majority of mothers in Ikenne Local Government Area had basic knowledge of infant weaning principles, such as the appropriate age to start weaning, types of foods to introduce, and signs of readiness for weaning. However, there were gaps in knowledge regarding the recommended duration of exclusive breastfeeding and the importance of maintaining a diverse and nutrient-rich diet during weaning. In terms of weaning practices, most mothers reported initiating complementary feeding at the appropriate age of 6 months. Commonly introduced foods included pap, fruits, and vegetables. However, some mothers introduced foods like cow's milk and honey before the recommended age, posing potential health risks to their infants. Additionally, a significant proportion of mothers reported using unhealthy feeding practices, such as adding sugar or salt to their infants' foods. Factors such as maternal age, education, and access to healthcare services were found to influence both knowledge and practices of infant weaning. Mothers who were younger, had higher education levels, and utilized antenatal care services were more likely to have better knowledge and adhere to recommended weaning practices. In conclusion, while mothers in Ikenne Local Government Area demonstrated basic knowledge of infant weaning principles, there is a need for targeted education and interventions to address gaps in knowledge and improve weaning practices. Health education programs focusing on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, introduction of diverse foods, and avoidance of harmful feeding practices are recommended to promote optimal infant nutrition and development in the study area.

Project Overview

<p> </p><p>Weaning<br>is the introduction of supplementary food to a child’s diet after the first six<br>months of life. Early introduction of feeds and incorrect weaning practices are<br>commonly found in communities around the world. This research was designed to<br>explore infant weaning knowledge and practices among mothers.</p><p>Descriptive<br>research design was adopted. The population were 260 mothers attending three<br>Primary Healthcare Centres in Ikenne Local Government. Sample size was<br>determined using Leslie Kish formula and simple random sampling was adopted to<br>select 100 mothers for the study. A designed questionnaire was used to collect<br>data from participants. Face and content validity of the questionnaire was<br>ascertained by presenting it to experts in the field. Reliability was tested<br>using split-half method and Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient was 0.85.<br>Data was processed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version<br>21. Two research questions were answered using descriptive statistics of mean<br>standard deviation. Four hypotheses were tested using inferential statistics of<br>Pearson correlation at 0.05 level of significance.</p><p>The study revealed that 8(8%)<br>of mothers had low knowledge level on infant weaning, 50(50%) had moderate<br>knowledge level and 42(42%) had high knowledge level. Also, 3(3%) of mothers<br>had high practice level on infant weaning, 66(66%) had moderate practice level<br>and 31(31%) had low practice level on infant weaning. There is a significant relationship<br>between occupation and weaning practices among mothers (r = 0.035; p = 0.004). There is<br>also a significant relationship between educational level and<br>weaning practices among mothers (r = 0.003; p = 0.000), whereas there is no significant relationship<br>between ethnicity and infant weaning practices among mothers (r = 0.036; p = 0.723) and there<br>is a significant relationship between mothers knowledge level<br>and infant weaning practices among mothers (r = 0.086; p = 0.001).</p><p>In conclusion, infant weaning knowledge<br>and practices among mothers is moderate. The study recommended that nurses<br>should regularly train mothers on infant weaning to improve their knowledge and<br>practice regarding infant weaning.</p><p><b>Keywords: </b>Weaning, Mother, Knowledge, Practice,<br>Infants</p><p><b>CHAPTER ONE</b></p><p><b>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; INTRODUCTION</b></p><p><b>1.1 &nbsp; Background to the Study</b></p><p>Weaning is the introduction of supplementary food to a child’s diet<br>after the first six months of life. Infant weaning with supplementary feeds of<br>breast milk substitutes, early introduction of complementary feeding and<br>incorrect weaning from breast milk are commonly found practices in communities<br>around the world (Inayati, Scherbaum, Purwestri, Hormann, Wirawan, Suryantan,<br>Hartono, Bloem, Pangaribuan, Biesalki, Hoffmann, &amp; Bellows, 2012). The<br>period of weaning could involve a lot of problems and usually information gap exist<br>in relation to how and when weaning takes place. Adequate nutrition during<br>infancy and early childhood is essential for growth and development of children<br>(Ashmika, Deerajen, Prity &amp; Rajesh, 2013). It has been recognized worldwide<br>that breastfeeding is beneficial for both the mother and child as breastmilk is<br>considered the best source of nutrition for an infant (Ku &amp; Chow, 2010).<br>The World Health Organization (WHO) as said by Hanif (2011 recommends that<br>infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months after which complementary<br>foods are introduced along with breastmilk for up to two years of age or<br>beyond. The first two years of life are critical stages for a child’s growth<br>and development. Any damage caused by nutritional deficiencies during this<br>period could lead to impaired cognitive development, compromised educational<br>achievement and low economic productivity (Kimani-Murage, Madise, Fotso,<br>Kyobutungi, Mutau, Gitau &amp; Yatich, 2011).</p><p>Poor breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices, together<br>with high rates of morbidity from infectious diseases are the prime proximate<br>causes of malnutrition in the first two years of life. Breastfeeding confers<br>both short-term and long-term benefits to a child. It reduces infections and<br>mortality among infants, improves mental and motor development, and protects<br>against obesity and metabolic diseases later in life (WHO, 2010). According to<br>Kimani-Murage <i>et al</i>., (2011), the WHO<br>recommends exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months, beginning from the<br>first hour of life, to meet the infant’s nutritional requirements and achieve<br>optimal growth, development and health. The mother is advised to continue<br>breastfeeding up to two years of age or more and begin nutritionally adequate,<br>safe, and appropriately-fed complementary foods at the age of six months in<br>order to meet the evolving needs of the growing infant. Since weaning is a process<br>by which food other than breast milk is introduced gradually into baby’s diet,<br>first to complement the breast milk and then to wean totally off breast milk involve<br>selecting light nutritious food for easy absorption. Then later replace light<br>nutritious food with thicker feed using hygiene practices when preparing them<br>but majority of nutrition problems in rural areas are due to faulty weaning<br>food (Shadia &amp; Bedor, 2013).</p><p>Predictors of breastfeeding and weaning practices vary between and<br>within countries. Factors that influence the weaning process include infant<br>feeding problems such as refusal to eat, colic, diarrhoea and vomiting (Ashmika<br><i>et al</i>., 2013). These factors<br>represent challenges for mothers and in turn may either directly or indirectly<br>influence the feeding pattern. In view of the identified factors, which are early<br>introduction of complementary feeding and incorrect weaning from breast milk,<br>the researcher would carry out a study on infant weaning knowledge and practices<br>among mothers in ikenne local government area, Ogun State</p><p><b>1.2 Statement<br>of the Problem</b></p><p>Weaning has been one of the most wrongly practiced processes in the<br>developmental stages of the children. It <br>was observed that mothers give their infant other food apart from breast<br>milk right from birth while some delayed supplementary diet till above Nine<br>months with either cases having negative effect on the infant. WHO (Hanif,<br>2011) recommends a gradual weaning period from 6 months to 2 years, this allows<br>for the child to still receive the benefits from breastfeeding, while also<br>consuming the necessary nutrients from the complementary foods. But almost half<br>of the mothers (52%) abruptly weaned their children while only 11.6% gradually<br>weaned their children as complementary food is being added to the children diet<br>(Somiya, 2014). The time of weaning is one of the most critical aspects of<br>child’s life. It is the transition period at which the child whose main food used<br>to be milk changes over to adult food. Usually if this period of change in diet<br>is well-planned and progresses smoothly, there will be no setbacks, but in a<br>large number of children, malnutrition usuallytakes place during this period.<br>Ten million children under the age of 5 years old die each year (Somiya, 2014).<br>More than half of the deaths occur because of poor weaning that leads to<br>malnutrition. If adequate health systems were in place nearly two-third of the<br>deaths could be prevented. The most vulnerable period for developing<br>under-nutrition remains the transition from breastfeeding to family foods.<br>Malnourished children often suffer the loss of precious mental capacities. They<br>fall ill more often. If they survive, they may grow up with lasting mental or<br>physical disabilities (Dinesh &amp; Sushilkumar, 2011).</p><p>Poor quality of weaning foods and improper weaning practices<br>predispose infants to malnutrition, growth retardation, infection, diseases and<br>high mortality (Somiya, 2014). Food is expected to be prepared adequately<br>containing the required nutrients as well as appropriate with a suitable<br>texture and temperature. Without the knowledge of proper weaning practices as<br>well as a perception of the child’s hunger needs, malnutrition and illness may<br>ensue. Thus, the weaning period is therefore a vulnerable time when the child<br>should be attentively cared for and observed so as to maintain health (Somiya,<br>2014). Therefore, information gotten on weaning will improve mother’s practice<br>of weaning since the mother is the most important person in a baby’s life for<br>both its physical as well as its psychosocial care and growth. The mother-infant<br>relationship is the most vital formative relationship for the child. There<br>arises a need to prevent wrong assumption of mothers on weaning process and<br>timing, there is need for sound education, effective information and sufficient<br>knowledge of weaning to be instilled in mothers. Nurses can be agent of<br>carrying out the educational needs for weaning infants in proper way.<br>Therefore, the need for a study on infant weaning knowledge and practices among<br>mothers in Ikenne Local Government Area, Ogun State.</p><p><b>1.3 Objective<br>of the Study</b></p><p>The main objective of this study is to explore infant weaning<br>knowledge and practices among mothers in Ikenne local government area, Ogun<br>State. The specific objectives are to:</p><ol><li>determine the knowledge<br>level on infant weaning among mothers attending three Primary Healthcare<br>Centres in Ikenne Local Government Area;</li></ol><p>2. &nbsp; &nbsp; assess the practice level on infant weaning among mothers attending<br>three Primary Healthcare Centres in Ikenne Local Government Area;</p><p>3. &nbsp; &nbsp; assess the relationship between occupation and infant<br>weaning practices among mothers attending<br>three Primary Healthcare Centres in Ikenne Local Government Area;</p><p>4. &nbsp; &nbsp; identify the relationship between ethnicity and infant<br>weaning practices among mothers attending<br>three Primary Healthcare Centres in Ikenne Local Government Area;</p><p>5. &nbsp; &nbsp; assess the relationship between educational level and<br>infant weaning practices among mothers attending three Primary Healthcare Centres in Ikenne Local Government<br>Area and</p><p>6. &nbsp; &nbsp; to determine the relationship between mothers<br>knowledge level and infant weaning practices attending three Primary Healthcare Centres in Ikenne Local Government<br>Area.</p><p><b>1.4 &nbsp;</b><b>Research Questions &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; </b></p><p>The following research questions were answered:</p><p>1. &nbsp; &nbsp; <br>What is<br>the knowledge level on infant weaning among mothers attending three Primary<br>Healthcare Centres in Ikenne Local Government Area.</p><p>2. &nbsp; &nbsp; What is the practice level on infant weaning among mothers attending<br>three Primary Healthcare Centres in Ikenne Local Government Area.</p><p>1.5 &nbsp;<b>&nbsp;Hypotheses &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; </b>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; </p><p>The following hypotheses were tested at 0.05<br>level of significance.</p><p>HO1. There is no significant<br>relationship between occupation and infant weaning &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; practices among<br>mothers attending three Primary Healthcare Centres in<br>Ikenne Local</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Government Area.</p><p>HO2.There is no significant relationship between<br>ethnicity and infant weaning practices among</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; mothers attending three Primary Healthcare Centres in Ikenne Local Government<br>Area.</p><p>HO3.There is no significant relationship between<br>educational level and infant weaning practices &nbsp; </p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; among mothers attending three Primary Healthcare Centres in Ikenne Local<br>Government &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; </p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Area.</p><p>HO4.There is no significant relationship between mothers<br>knowledge level and infant weaning</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; practices attending three Primary Healthcare Centres in Ikenne Local<br>Government Area.</p><p><b>1.6 Scope<br>of the Study</b></p><p>This study covered infant weaning knowledge and<br>practices among mothers in Ikenne Local Government A rea, Ogun State. The study<br>is limited by recruitment of participants</p><p><b>1.7 Justification<br>for the Study</b></p><p>The study would help to establish inadequacy in infant weaning<br>knowledge and practice among mothers and also provide baseline data for<br>subsequent studies on infant weaning knowledge and practices among mothers.</p><p>This study would also help to provide recommendations for improving<br>inadequacies in infant weaning knowledge and practices among mothers.</p><p>The study would also assist health institutions and the government<br>at the federal, state and local level to plan strategies to improve infant<br>weaning knowledge and practices among mothers.</p><p><b>1.8 Operational<br>Definition of Terms</b></p><ol><li><b>Weaning:</b>&nbsp;introduction<br>of supplementary food to a child’s diet after the first six months of<br>life.</li><li><b>Mother:<br></b>Women who has a child with age from birth to 24 months.</li><li><b>Knowledge:</b><br>Mothers understanding regarding infant weaning as measured by knowledge<br>score.</li><li><b>Practice:</b><br>Mothers activity regarding infant weaning as measured by practice score.</li><li><b>Infants</b>:<br>children aged from birth to 24 months of age.</li><li><b>Ikenne<br>local government area:</b>&nbsp;A local government area in Ogun state.</li></ol> <br><p></p>