ABSTRACT

 Growth Monitoring is the process of following and assessing the growth rate of a child in comparison to a standard by, periodic, frequent anthropometric measurements. Only a ew have been said and researched about the maternal knowledge and attitude towards growth monitoring and its associated factors in Owerri Municipal and Mbaitoli Local Government Area. This study was conducted to determine the knowledge, perception and techniques adopted by the mothers in assessing and monitoring growth and development of under-five aged children. Methods: Community based cross sectional design was adopted for this study. Sample size was 175 (p=11.7) after correction and proportional sample size allocation was used to allocate the sample to the 2 locations and Systematic random sampling was used to select households. Data was collected using semi-structured questioners by interview and the obtained data was analyzed using SPSS v.20.0 statistical software.  Statistical significance was declared at P-value of 0.25 for bivariate and 0.05 for multivariable logistic regressions. Results :Under-fives sampled were 175.Youngest child were 2years and above(64.6%)age(months),youngest child were  less than 2years of age(35.4%)age(months), (68.6%)attended post natal clinic,(30.2%)did not attend post natal clinic,(65.1%)completed the immunization(32.6%)did not complete immunization, male comprised(53.7%) female(45.7%),(20%)monitored key motor milestone of a child correctly(9.7%)did not monitor key motor milestone of a child correctly,(92.0%)did not know how to use the growth chart,(76.0%)knew person’s should carryout growth monitoring. weight/height(30.9%)obesity, while(2.9%) sSAM(severely wasted(<-3)B.M.I Age(46.3%) Overweight, while (3.4%) severe (<-3) believed that growth charting in childhood was important (p=0.03.) Conclusion and Recommendation: Mothers have relatively good attitude than knowledge. Formal education, counselling and education from healthy professionals and a formal occupation had a positive impact on knowledge and attitude towards growth monitoring. The knowledge status of the mothers was found to below.