Socioeconomic characteristics of mothers and their infants growth Pattern in Igbere Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Infant growth refers to an increase in body size (length, height and weight) and in the size of organs.

Objective: This study assessed the socioeconomic characteristics of the mothers, infants growth pattern compared to WHO child growth standard in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria.

Method: A longitudinal study was carried in the study area for a period of six months. The mothers with infant 0-6months were recruited in the health centres in the study area. Socioeconomic characteristics of the mothers were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Infants growth pattern using anthropometry were followed for a period of six months (May 2014 to October 2014) and compared with World Health  Organisation growth standard using t-test while regression analysis was used to determine the effect of socioeconomic characteristics on infant growth pattern.

Results: In all, 40.6% of the mothers did not complete secondary school, 33.7% and 8% completed secondary and tertiary education respectively while 49.1% and 9.1% of their husbands completed secondary and tertiary education respectively. Wasting was on the increase and there was slight variation in the weight and length velocities of the infants compared to WHO growth standard. Being a housewife and mothers with low income significantly (P<0.05) influence the anthropometric indices of the infants.

Conclusion: The socioeconomic characteristics of the mothers were not satisfactory enough, and this negatively influenced the growth pattern of their infants when compared to WHO child growth standard, thus, slight variations in the length and weight of the infants.