Practices of Complementary Feeding Amongst Breastfeeding Mothers Attending Immunization Clinics in Makurdi, Benue State

Introduction: Malnutrition is a globally common problem, particularly amongst infants – this is due to the delicate balance in their system. As such, its important to institute proper feeding and nutritional measures, especially as it relates to enlightening mothers with low levels of education in rural communities, because its mostly seen in communities and villages, particularly those where proper nutritional practices are absent. In Nigeria today, malnutrition is one of the leading causes of death amongst children, with those under the age of five (5) years most affected. Malnutrition in infants during weaning has been attributed to inappropriate complementary feeding practices and it underlies more than one-third of child mortality in Nigeria. Thus, addressing the influence of complementary feeding practices on the nutritional status of children is an important approach towards reducing the burden of child malnutrition. According to UNICEF; 100 children in Nigeria die per-hour due to malnutrition, which translates to about 2,400 deaths daily, thus making this research crucial.

Aims: To assess complementary feeding practices amongst breastfeeding mothers attending immunization clinics in Makurdi, Benue State, with specific objective to determine their knowledge, attitudes and practices of complementary feeding.

Study Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study.

Place and Duration of Study: Benue State University Teaching Hospital immunization clinic, Benue State Ministry of Health Epidemiological unit immunization Clinic and Benue State Family Support and Planning immunization Clinic, between January and December 2023

Methodology: We included 108 clients, selected using random sampling technique, by proportional allocation; 20 from BSUTH immunization clinic, 35 from the Benue State Epidemiological clinic and 53 from FSP clinic. Data was collected from respondents, using a well-structured self-administered questionnaire. A pre-testing of our questionnaire was done at the Federal Medical Center immunization clinic Makurdi, using 10 random respondents, before carrying out our actual data collection from our clients.

Results: Out of 108 respondents, majority 91.7% agreed that they gave additional foods to breast milk. 75.0% said complementary feeding is a good practice. About half 52.8% of respondent cited ≤6 months as the proper age of starting complementary feeding. Majority 98.1% said the type of food given to the child depends on the age, while 94.4% said it’s appropriate to breastfeed alongside complementary feeding. About half 53.7% introduced complementary feeding at 6 months and above; while 33.3% introduced it between 3-5 months, and a few of the respondents 13.0% introduced it between 0 – 3 months.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the majority of our respondents had good knowledge of complementary feeding, evident by the 96.3% who affirmed to the necessity of complementary food alongside breast milk. Also, a good attitude toward complementary feeding (75.0%) and 91.7% practice complementary feeding.