Factors Influencing Optimal Complementary Feeding Practices Among Mothers Of Children Aged 6-23 Months In The Ga South Municipality
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Date
2018-07
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University of Ghana
Abstract
Background: The first two years of a child’s life is particularly important, as good nutrition during this time lowers morbidity and mortality, and promotes development of the child. Complementary feeding (CF) period represents a window of opportunity for avoiding all forms of malnutrition. It has also been established that when CF practices are scaled up to nearly universal levels, about 100,000 deaths of children under five could be prevented. In Ghana, only 13% of mothers practice optimal complementary feeding signifying a greater proportion of children are missing out on good nutrition in terms of quantity and quality. Lower prevalence of optimal complementary feeding practices have been recorded in the Greater Accra Region.
General Aim: To assess the complementary feeding practices and its associated factors among mothers of children aged 6-23 months in the Ga South Municipality.
Methodology: This was a facility based cross sectional study that involved 280 mothers who had children aged 6-23 months and visited the child welfare clinics (CWC) of the Ga South Municipal hospital, Ngleshie Amanfro Polyclinic and Obom Health Center. The study involved a face to face interview using structured questionnaires adapted and modified from the WHO and UNICEF’s guidelines on Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices (IYCF). Data collected were entered into Microsoft Excel and then exported to STATA Version 15 for analysis. Bivariate, univariate and multivariate analysis were done for predictor and outcome variables.
Results: Timely initiation of solids for children aged 6-8 months was 88%. However, only 67.1% of all children between the ages of 6-23 months were introduced solids at the recommended age of 6 months. For all children aged 6-23 months, 65% achieved minimum meal frequency (MMF), 33% achieved minimum dietary diversity (MDD) and 24.3% achieved
minimum adequate diet (MAD). There was no association between all explanatory variables and timely introduction of solids and soft foods. However, a multiple logistic regression showed that child’s age (AOR 0.25, 95% CI 0.12-0.54, P<0.001), mother’s highest level of education attained (AOR 4.1, 95% CI 1.30-12.96, P= 0.016, AOR 2.99, 95% CI 1.12-8.01, P=0.029) and ANC visits (AOR 0.39, 95% CI 0.22-0.69, P=0.001) were significantly associated with MMF, child’s age (AOR 2.75, 95% CI 1.52-4.94, P=0.001 and mother’s occupation (AOR 3.99, CI 1.66-9.63, P=0.002) were significantly associated with MDD and mothers occupation (AOR 3.52, 95% CI 1.27-9.50, P=0.015) was significantly associated with MAD.
Conclusion: Complementary feeding practices in the study area was suboptimal. Eighty eight percent of mothers practiced timely introduction of solid. Only 65% and 33% of mothers achieved MMF and MDD respectively whilst only 24% achieved MAD. There was no association between all explanatory variables and timely introduction of solids and soft diets. However, multiple logistic regression modelling revealed that reported number of ANC visits and mother’s highest level of education attained were associated with MMF. Mother’s occupation was significantly associated with both MDD and MAD. Child’s age was significantly associated with both MMF and MDD.
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Thesis (MPh)
Keywords
Complementary, Feeding Practices, Mothers, Aged 6-23 Months, Municipality, GA South, Children