Abstract:
The study sought to find out infant feeding practices and nutritional knowledge of
nursing mothers in Apam. Multiple methods of data collection procedures such as
questionnaire and interviews were used for the study. A total of one hundred and fifty
(150) respondents were purposively sampled for the study. The St Lukes hospital and
the Reproductive and Child health center (RCHC) all in Apam were used for the study.
The data obtained were analysed using SPSS Version 20 and presented in charts,
frequency distribution tables and percentages. The results of this work indicated that
mothers introduced their infants to complementary food too early in life which maybe
a major contributory factor for the incidences of malnutrition in Apam. Therefore, the
most urgent priority is to ensure access to, improve the quality and proper timing of
complementary foods which should be given to infants from the sixth month. Evidence
gathered also showed that majority of the nursing mothers believe that exclusive breast
feeding protects the infants from diseases, saves the infants life, provides a nutritious
easily digestible food for the infant and it’s a hygienic food with the right amount of
nutrient also meets all water requirements that the infant needs. It was concluded that
nursing mothers in Apam obtained nutritional knowledge from hospitals and clinics in
which they obtained antenatal also nursing mothers depended on parents when it come
to feeding. Even though majority practiced exclusive breast feeding, it was found out
that some practiced the mixed, re-lactation, tandem feeding, induced lactation,
extended breast feeding and expressed feeding.
Description:
A DISSERTATION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HOME ECONOMICS,
FACULTY OF SCIENCE EDUCATION, SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF
GRADUATE STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA IN
PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER
OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREE.
APRIL, 2016
