Knowledge and practice of infant feeding among mothers exposed to health education messages in nutrition in immunization clinic of a tertiary hospital in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Appropriate infant feeding is critical for child’s health and survival. Studies have shown high prevalence of malnutrition in Nigeria and other developing countries and this has been attributed to poor breast and complementary feeding practices.

Objective: The study assessed the knowledge and practice of infant feeding among nursing mothers attending immunization clinic of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of nursing mothers with infants aged 0 - 12 months. The 143 mothers interviewed were selected using systematic random sampling. The instrument for data collection was a semi-structured questionnaire designed to elicit information on the respondent’s socio-demographic, knowledge of breastfeeding and breast/complementary feeding practices. Data analysis was carried out using Epi Info v.7 statistical software.

Results: All respondents knew breast milk as the first meal for an infant. The majority (68%) of the respondents fed their infants with colostrum and most (73.7%) of them practiced exclusive breastfeeding. Almost two-thirds (63.6%) of the respondents knew that complementary foods should be introduced at 6 months. Overall, 85% of mothers had a good knowledge of infant and young child feeding while 74% engaged in good feeding practices. Educational level and occupation were associated with knowledge of infant feeding.

Conclusion: The respondents were knowledgeable in good infant feeding but practices were not as good. Communication between health workers and mothers should be strengthened to improve mothers feeding practices.

Keywords: Nutrition, young child, knowledge, Nigeria