ABSTRACT

The study assessed appropriate complementary feeding practices and anthropometric status of children aged 6-23 months in Umuahia South LGA of Abia state. A community based cross-sectional study involving 160 children was conducted using a multi-stage sampling technique. Information on sociodemographic characteristics of.parents, appropriate complementary feeding practices, 24-hour dietary intake and anthropometric characteristics of the infants were obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire. Appropriate complementary feeding indicators and anthropometric indices were estimated using the 2008 World Health Organization recommendations; Introduction of Solid, Semisolid or Soft foods (ISSS), Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD), Minimum Meal Frequency (MMF), Minimum Milk Feeding Frequency (MMFF) and Minimum Acceptable Diet (MAD), and WHO Anthro software, respectively. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics-frequencies and percentages, and Chi-square analysis at p<0.05. Result showed that more than half(51.9%) ofthe children were males and 47% were aged between 9-11 months. Only about 39.4% had timely introduction of complementary foods. Majority (77.3%) ofthe children aged 12-18 months had introduction of solid, semi-solid and soft foods, 36.8% of children 9- 11 months had minimum dietary diversity and all (100.0%) the children 12-18 months had minimum meal frequency. Additionally, majority (75.0%) of the children 6-8 months had minimum milk feeding frequency and only 20.0% ofthem had minimum acceptable diet. The prevalence of wasting, underweight, stunting and overweight in this study was 1.2%, 10.0%, 32.5% and 21.9%, respectively and the MUAC indicated that 31.2% ofthe children were malnourished. The prevalence ofexclusive breastfeeding among the respondents was 44.4% and majority (86.3%) were still breastfeeding. A significant association was found between adequate feeding practices and sex of child, children exclusively breastfed, age of introduction of complementary foods and father’s level of education (p <0.05). Dieticians/Nutritionists should intensify their nutrition education in antenatal clinics in both government and peripheral hospitals. This is because the choice of feeding practice depends a great' deal on the information received by the mother while still pregnant. The use oflocally available, affordable and variety offoods to improve nutrient content of complementary foods should be encouraged.