Complementary feeding practices and its determinants among Fulani mothers in rural Kaduna State, Northwest, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Complementary feeding plays an important role in children's growth and development. Exclusive breastfeeding provides the best source of nutrients at early stage of life but beyond six months, more nutrients are required than are generally available from breast milk alone. This makes the child vulnerable to developing malnutrition. This study aims to assess the knowledge, practices and factors affecting complementary feeding practices among Fulani mothers in Makarfi Local Government Area, Kaduna state. Methods: The study was cross-sectional in design. A sample of 209 respondents (mother/caregiver – child pair) was selected using a multistage sampling technique. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Mothers' knowledge of complementary feeding and the quality of complementary feeding practices were assessed and scored. Bivariate analysis (Chi square and Fishers' exact test) was used to test for association between socio-demographic factors, and mothers' knowledge, and complementary feeding practices. Statistical significance was determined at an alpha level of 0.05. Results: Results revealed that 93.3% of the Fulani mothers had poor knowledge while only 27.5% had good practices of complementary feeding. The pattern of complementary feeding was characterized by poor dietary diversity. There was a significant association between child's age (p < 0.01); fathers' occupation (p = 0.05) and complementary feeding practices. Conclusion and Recommendations: The study showed that the overall knowledge and practice of complementary feeding among the Fulani mothers/caregivers were poor. Therefore, the need for more education by the state ministry of health, targeted at Fulani mothers towards improving knowledge and practices on complementary feeding. Keywords: Infant feeding, Knowledge, Practices, Complementary feeding, Makarfi, Fulan