ABSTRACT

This study assessed appropriate complementary feeding practices and anthropometric status of children aged 6-23 months in Ikwuano Local Government Area (LGA) Abia State. A community based cross sectional survey involving 160 children randomly selected from Umugbalu, Umudike-ukwu, Amawom and Ndioru primary health care centers Ikwuano LGA, was conducted using multi-stage sampling technique. Information on household socio-demographic characteristics, complementary feeding practices, 24-hour dietary intake and anthropometric status of the children were obtained using a structured questionnaire. Complementary feeding practices were accessed based on WHO indicators for appropriate complementary feeding practices (ISSS-Intoduction of solid, semi-solid and soft foods; MDD- Minimum dietary diversity; MMF- Minimum meal frequency; MMFF- Minimum milk feeding frequency; MAD- Minimum acceptable diet). Anthropometric indices were analyzed using the WHO Anthro software. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics of frequencies, percentages and Chi-square, and significant association set at p<0.05. Results showed that almost half (48.1%) of the children were males, while 51.9% were females. More than half (53.1%) had a birth-weight between the ranges of 3.0-3.4kg. Majority (91.3%) of the children spent most of their time with their mothers. The result showed that more than half (59.4%) of the children had a normal BMI for age. Most (63.1%) of the children were exclusively breastfed, more than half (55%) of the mothers discontinued breastfeeding after 6 months, while some (21%) discontinued for no specific reason. Some (38%) of the care givers introduced complementary foods to their children after 6 months of age, while most of the care givers (68.8%) introduced both homemade and commercial complementary foods. The result of the appropriate complementary feeding practices based on age showed that, 53.1%, 68.8%, and 65.6%, of children between the ages 6-8 months did not meet the requirements for the introduction of solid, semi-solid or soft foods score, Minimum Dietary Diversity and Minimum Acceptable Diet, respectively.  Most of the children (31.2%, 70.8%, 64% and 66.7%) between the ages of (6-8, 9-11, 12-18 and 19-23 months), respectively, met their MDD. Almost all the children in the different age groups met their minimum meal frequency (93%-100%) and their minimum milk feeding frequency (80%-100%). More than half (56.2% and 52% respectively) of children between the ages of 9-11 months and 12-18 months met their minimum acceptable diet. An association was found (P<0.05) between adequate feeding practices, children exclusively breastfed, age of introduction of complementary foods and parents/caregivers level of education. The complementary feeding practices appears poor in Ikwuano L.G.A as all the (5) criteria for appropriate complementary feeding practices in this study were not fully met. Hence, mothers should be educated more on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and the appropriate ways to practice complementary feeding.