The Effect of Child Care and Feeding Practices on the Nutritional Status of Children of Market Women in Ondo State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Optimal infants and young children feeding is paramount to their health and nutritional status. This study assessed the childcare and feeding practices among 200 market women in relation to their children nutritional status. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information on childcare and feeding practices; anthropometric indices of 200 infants were also taken and analyzed. The result showed that 98% of the market women initiated breastfeeding immediately after delivery, 99% practiced exclusive breastfeeding and majority of the women take their children along with them to the market. The major complementary staple used by the women was sorghum (53.6%), 62% of the respondents admitted the use of soybean powder as the major protein source in the gruel. The mean age, weight, height and MUAC of the infants were respectively 20months, 10kg, 78cm, and 14cm. The study revealed that 31% of the children were moderately stunted and 39% were moderately underweight. The duration of breastfeeding and childcare practices were found to significantly affect nutritional status at p< 0.05. Therefore, mothers should be properly educated on the appropriate combination of local staples for complementary foods through food demonstration class during post natal clinic.