Abstract:
Optimal feeding during infancy and early childhood is fundamental to the makeup of
a child’s full human potential. This study aimed at infant and young child feeding
practices of mothers and the effect on nutritional status of their children at Dadease
and Effiduase in the Sekyere-Kumawu and Sekyere-East Districts respectively. A
cross sectional design was used for the study using a sample size of 122 mothers and
their young children within the age range of 0-24 months old. Multistage sampling
technique was employed. Weight-for-Age, Height-for-Weight, Height-for-Age and
Body Mass Index (BMI) were used in assessing infants and young child’ nutritional
status using EPI-version 7 anthropometric calculator. The relationship of mothers’
nutritional knowledge and type of feeding practices adopted for their young children
was examined using spearman’s correlation at 0.01 significant level. The result
showed a weak negative insignificant (r= -.141, p > 0.01) relationship. Similarly,
educational level of mothers and age did not influence choice of infants’ feeding
practices, (p > 0.05). Rather, factors such as work situation, culture, post-natal clinic
services, family and friends influenced mother’s choice of infant and young children
feeding practices (p < 0.05). About 37% mothers confirmed that they introduced other
foods to their infants below 4 months while generally, 95% mothers were noted for
introducing supplementary foods to infants below the 6th month. Also, only 7%
mothers actually gave supplementary foods after the 6th month. This finding indicated
that feeding practices adopted by most mothers was not in line with WHO
recommendation for infant feeding, hence the high prevalence of severe underweight
in Effiduase (72%) and Dadease (78%) communities. The study concluded that high
risk of malnourishment found in both towns is as a result of poor infant feeding
practices by mothers hence the need for promotion on best infant and young child
feeding practices in the Sekyere-Kumawu and Sekyere-East districts through
Effective Health Education and counselling routine as well as young children dieting
guide to be enforced at Dadease and Effiduase to foster optimal childhood feeding
practices among mothers. Again, Health Officers should capitalise on mothers’ first
source of nutrition information and make strong impact on them through exemplary
practices by nurses in the communities.
Description:
A THESIS IN THE DEPARTMENTOF HOME ECONOMICS, FACULTY OF
SCIENCE EDUCATION, SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE
STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA, IN PARTIAL
FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR AWARD OF THE
MASTERS OF PHILOSOPHY (HOME ECONOMICS) DEGREE
JULY, 2018