ABSTRACT

This descriptive cross sectional study assessed appropriate complementary feeding practices and anthropometric status of children 6-23 months in Ikwuano L.G.A, Abia state. A total of 159 children aged between 6 to 23 months was selected from six (6) healthcare centres from three (3) communities namely: Amaba, Amawom and Umudike in Ikwuano L.G.A. A structured, pre-tested and validated questionnaire was used for the data collection. Standard procedures were used for the anthropometric measurements. The complementary feeding practices were assessed using the WHO indicators for appropriate complementary feeding practices (ISSS- Introduction of solid, semi-solid or soft foods; MDD- Minimum dietary diversity; MMF- Minimum meal frequency; MMFF- Minimum milk feeding frequency; and MAD- Minimum acceptable diet). Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages and chi-square correlation were used to analyse the data. Result showed 40.9% of the children were within 9-11 months of age. Majority (83.6%) of the children were males. Majority (85.5%) of the mothers practiced exclusive breastfeeding and 86.2% were still breastfeeding their children. Result showed varied timing for introduction of complementary feeds; 41.5% before 6 months, and 52.8%, after 6 months. The result showed that more than half (52.8%) introduced complementary feeds after 6 months, while 5.7% introduced it at the age of 6 months and more than half (59.1%) use commercial baby foods, 13.8% commenced with home-made foods while 27.0% employed a mixed practice of homemade and commercial foods. Among the children, stunting was found to be 63.5%; undernutrition was 44%; wasting, 13.8%; and underweight, 31.4%. There was significant association of (P<0.05) between appropriate feeding and the age at which complementary feeds were introduced and children who are appropriately feed are underweighted. Inappropriate complementary feeding practices was high among the children between the ages of 6 – 23 months. Factors significantly associated with their complementary feeding practices include age of introduction of complementary feeds, whom the child spends most time with, the family size, estimated household income and child’s weight-for-age. This suggests that more efforts are required to communicate appropriate complementary feeding practices to mothers/caregivers.