ABSTRACT

This study assessed the knowledge, perception and techniques adopted by mothers assessing and monitoring the growth and development of under-five aged children in Osisioma L.G.A, The study was cross- sectional and descriptive in design. A multi - stage sampling technique was used to select 175 mothers in assessing and monitoring the growth and development of under- five aged children residing in the study area. A well- structured and validated questionnaire was used to collect information on socio- economic characteristics, perception on growth monitoring, anthropometric status, knowledge on growth monitoring, techniques used, and relationship between mothers knowledge and the practice of growth monitoring and development among mothers with children under -5 years of age. Using a sample size of 175, data was collected using semi-structured questioners and the obtained data was analysed using SPSS v.24.0 statistical software. Statistical significance was declared at P- value and also analysed frequencies, percentages and Pearson correlation. This study revealed that 50.9% of the mothers were within the age range of 31 to 35years, while 0.6% mothers were less than 18years old. Only 0.6% of the mothers were separated, 58.0% mothers went to secondary school, while 43.4% mothers had tertiary education. The result revealed that less than half of 34.3% of the mothers were traders and business women and only 3.4% of the mothers were unemployed. The result further showed that 44.0% of the mothers have average monthly income less than ₦18,500, while 3.4% of the mothers have average monthly income ranging from ₦75,000 to ₦94,000. It was observed that majority (99.4%) of the mothers attended post natal clinic with their youngest child, while 0.6% did not attend post natal clinic with their youngest child. 6.9% had knowledge of measuring the weight of their child, while 4.0% did not know how to measure the height of a child. 100.0% knew how to use the growth monitoring facilities and group of children that should be monitored monthly, while 45.7% knew personnel that should carryout growth monitoring evaluation. The result further showed that 83.4% had knowledge of when a child should sit without support, and the average age a child should walk alone, while 3.4% knew how to monitor a child’s development using key motor milestone. 99.4% of the mothers knew the meaning of key motor milestone while 98.9% identify what is key motor milestone. 6.3% of the mothers, used observation as a technique for checking the child's growth, while 0.6% of the mothers used height, weight and also growth chart for checking the child's growth. 97.1% of the mothers do not check their child’s weight while 1.7% used weighing scale as a technique in checking the child's weight. 98.3% of the mothers do not check their child’s height while 1.7% of the mothers used tape in checking the height and length. Using traditional techniques, 37.1% of the mothers used cloth size as an indicator for growth in relation to age while 13.7% of the mothers uses waist beads and bangles to monitor the size of their child in relation to the Childs age. The result on Weight - Height/length revealed that 73.7% were normal (>=2), 0.6% were obese. 1.1% of the mothers were found to be ignorant of the need for growth monitoring and 10.9% of the mothers had poor perception. This study also showed that educational status of the mothers, economic status, and counselling by health professionals are indicators of knowledge on growth monitoring and were significantly associated with attitude towards growth monitoring. Level of education notwithstanding, the mothers showed inherent passion for monitoring the growth of their children. Formal education, counselling and education from health professionals and economic status had a positive impact on knowledge and attitude of the mothers towards growth monitoring. The knowledge status of the mothers was found to be low.