COMPLEMENTARY FEEDING KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES AMONG MOTHERS OF CHILDREN AGED 6-23 MONTHS IN BENIN CITY, NIGERIA
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Complementary feeding is a component of infant and young child nutrition, particularly between 6 and 23 months of age when nutritional needs increase beyond what breast milk alone can provide. Despite global and national recommendations, poor complementary feeding practices remain prevalent in many low- and middle-income settings, including Nigeria. OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the knowledge and practices of complementary feeding among mothers of children aged 6–23 months in Benin city, Edo State, and factors associated with these outcomes.
METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 442 mothers of children aged 6–23 months selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured, pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaire. Minimum meal frequency (MMF), minimum dietary diversity (MDD) and minimum acceptable diet (MAD) were determined using WHO criteria. Dietary diversity was assessed using a 24-hour recall method. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27. Associations were tested using Chi-square and Fischer’s exact test, and logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of good knowledge, practice and dietary diversity at p < 0.05 (95% CI).
RESULTS: The mean age of the mothers and index children were 32.3±5.6 years and 14.6 ± 5.9 months respectively. Mothers’ knowledge assessment revealed that 32 (29.9%) of the mothers demonstrated good knowledge of complementary feeding. Knowledge was significantly higher among married women (p < 0.001), mothers with higher level of education (p < 0.001), higher xvi skill level (p < 0.001), higher household income (p < 0.001), more educated spouses (p < 0.001), spouses with higher skill level (p < 0.001), older index child (p = 0.012), and those with more children (p = 0.034). Being married and having higher education were significant predictors of good knowledge (OR = 20.767, p = 0.004; OR = 4.438, p < 0.001). Mothers who demonstrated good practice were 41 (10.1%), MMF was 48.2%, and MAD was 19.0%. Good practice was significantly higher among married mothers (p = 0.009), mothers with higher education (p < 0.001), higher skill levels (p < 0.001), higher household income (p = 0.008), more educated spouses (p < 0.001), spouses with higher skill level (p < 0.001), older index child (p < 0.001), and higher complementary feeding knowledge level (p < 0.001). Having an older index child and higher education were significant predictors of good practice (OR = 0.335, p = 0.021; OR = 3.767, p = 0.001). A total of 167 (41.3%) of respondents’ children consumed five or more of the recommended food group in the last 24 hours, and MDD was 37.8%. Dietary diversity was significantly higher in older mothers (p = 0.033), those married (p = 0.034), with more educated spouses (p = 0.002), higher household income (p = 0.003), better socioeconomic status (p = 0.033) and older index child (p < 0.001). Mothers with lower socioeconomic status were less likely to have good practice (OR = 0.402, p = 0.018) and those with an older index child were more likely (OR = 4.075, p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: Majority of the mothers had poor knowledge and practice of complementary feeding and a majority of children had poor dietary diversity. Targeted nutrition education focusing on simplifying complementary feeding guidelines and interventions to support local food production in order to improve dietary diversity are recommended.
METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 442 mothers of children aged 6–23 months selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured, pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaire. Minimum meal frequency (MMF), minimum dietary diversity (MDD) and minimum acceptable diet (MAD) were determined using WHO criteria. Dietary diversity was assessed using a 24-hour recall method. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27. Associations were tested using Chi-square and Fischer’s exact test, and logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of good knowledge, practice and dietary diversity at p < 0.05 (95% CI).
RESULTS: The mean age of the mothers and index children were 32.3±5.6 years and 14.6 ± 5.9 months respectively. Mothers’ knowledge assessment revealed that 32 (29.9%) of the mothers demonstrated good knowledge of complementary feeding. Knowledge was significantly higher among married women (p < 0.001), mothers with higher level of education (p < 0.001), higher xvi skill level (p < 0.001), higher household income (p < 0.001), more educated spouses (p < 0.001), spouses with higher skill level (p < 0.001), older index child (p = 0.012), and those with more children (p = 0.034). Being married and having higher education were significant predictors of good knowledge (OR = 20.767, p = 0.004; OR = 4.438, p < 0.001). Mothers who demonstrated good practice were 41 (10.1%), MMF was 48.2%, and MAD was 19.0%. Good practice was significantly higher among married mothers (p = 0.009), mothers with higher education (p < 0.001), higher skill levels (p < 0.001), higher household income (p = 0.008), more educated spouses (p < 0.001), spouses with higher skill level (p < 0.001), older index child (p < 0.001), and higher complementary feeding knowledge level (p < 0.001). Having an older index child and higher education were significant predictors of good practice (OR = 0.335, p = 0.021; OR = 3.767, p = 0.001). A total of 167 (41.3%) of respondents’ children consumed five or more of the recommended food group in the last 24 hours, and MDD was 37.8%. Dietary diversity was significantly higher in older mothers (p = 0.033), those married (p = 0.034), with more educated spouses (p = 0.002), higher household income (p = 0.003), better socioeconomic status (p = 0.033) and older index child (p < 0.001). Mothers with lower socioeconomic status were less likely to have good practice (OR = 0.402, p = 0.018) and those with an older index child were more likely (OR = 4.075, p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: Majority of the mothers had poor knowledge and practice of complementary feeding and a majority of children had poor dietary diversity. Targeted nutrition education focusing on simplifying complementary feeding guidelines and interventions to support local food production in order to improve dietary diversity are recommended.
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