Complementary feeding practices among mothers of children aged 6 - 24 months: A case study of Atwima Kwanwoma district in the Ashanti Region of Ghana

Abstract

Malnutrition and poor complementary feeding are more predominant in many Ghanaian communities. Complementary feeding if not practiced appropriately at this age can make the child more prone to infections, reduce their illness recovery rates and as well cause high mortality in children. Hence, this study was aimed at assessing the complementary feeding practices among mothers of children aged 6 - 24 months at Atwima Kwanwoma District in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Descriptive survey was adopted for this study. The study population consisted of all mothers who had children between the ages of 6-24 months and visited the district health center in the Atwima Kwanwoma District. Purposive sampling was used in selecting 280 mothers of children aged 6 - 24 months for the study. The study showed good complementary feeding practices among the mothers that visits health center in the Atwima Kwanwoma District in timely introducing solid, semi-solid or soft foods, using appropriate method of feeding during illness, adequacy of energy in complementary feeds. According to the showed that socioeconomic factors, mothers knowledge level, postnatal care and the social network, and cultural practices influences mothers complementary feeding practice. It was evident that enriching or making the child’s food with more energy, improving the intelligence of the child, provision of essential nutrients for continued growth and development, and eliminating the risk causing deficiencies and malnutrition of the child are the key determinants of early introduction of complementary feeding. It was concluded that mothers of children aged 6 - 24 months practice good complementary feeding. It was recommended that government and nongovernment organizations should increase the various health-related activities to grow mothers’ awareness and practice regarding complementary feeding.