An Exploratory Study of Market Women’s Knowledge on Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices in Ashiedu Keteke Sub-Metropolis of the Greater Accra Region Ghana

Abstract

Market Women’s Knowledge on Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices in Ashiedu Keteke of the Greater Accra Region, Ghana. Infant and young child feeding is an important area to improve child survival and promote healthy growth and development as recommended by the WHO/UNICEF. Malnutrition remains the leading cause of child morbidity and mortality among children under five years of age particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Amidst the many efforts over the years to curb the malnutrition menace in Ghana, current statistics reveal that working mothers like market women resort to all forms of inappropriate feeding practices which eventually leads to malnutrition in their children. This study was therefore designed to explore market women’s knowledge on Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices in Makola market, Ashiedu Keteke, Accra. Objective: The main aim of this study is to assess the level of knowledge of market women with children 0-23 months on Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices in Makola, Ashiedu Keteke sub-Metropolis. Methods: An exploratory cross-sectional study involving 300 mothers with children between the ages of 0-23 months consecutively enrolled in the study. The study excluded those who do not bring their children to the market. Structured questionnaire was pretested to enable modification. Findings: Only 148 (49.3%) initiated breast feeding within the first hour of delivery. In all, 121 (40.3%) introduced solid or semi-solid food to their children before 6 months. More than half 245 (81.7%) did not know responsive feeding. About 175 (58.3%) did not know the risk of not practicing the recommended IYCF and 177 (59.3%) did not wash their children’s hands before feeding them. Among the women, attending to their customers was a priority for almost half (47%) of them. Conclusion: Knowledge and practice of respondents on recommended IYCF was poor. Educational level, child’s age and market area were found to be significantly associated with respondents’ knowledge and practice levels. There is need to intensify awareness and education of recommended IYCF among mothers, especially market women and other busy mothers. Health facilities need to increase health education among mothers during antenatal and post-natal visits to ensure good health for Ghanaian children.