Assessing the caregivers’ knowledge and attitude towards complementary feeding practices of the under fives at Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To assess the caregivers’ knowledge and attitude towards complementary feeding practices of under-fives at Kenyatta National Hospital.

Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study.

Setting: The Immunisation clinic at Kenyatta National Hospital.

Subjects: One hundread and twenty three randomly selected caregivers who brought their under five years old children for immunisation.

Results: Most of the caregivers expressed fair knowledge and positive attitude towards complementary feeding. Seventy eight percent of the caregivers introduced complementary foods at the required age of six months. However, 22% of them introduced these meals when their children were between the ages of one to five months. The self reported reasons for this were family advice, cultural perceptions, busy schedules and medical conditions of the caregivers.

Conclusion: The caregivers’ knowledge and attitude had an direct impact on the timing and frequency of complementary feeding.