TABLE OF CONTENTS
Content Page
Title page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgements iv
Abstract v
Table of Contents vi
List of Tables ix
List of Figures x
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background to the Study
1
1.2 Statement of the Problem 2
1.3Objective
of the Study
3
1.4 Research Questions 4
1.5
Hypotheses 4
1.6 Scope of the Study
4
1.7 Justification for the Study 5
1.8
Operational Definition of Terms 5
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE
2.0 Introduction
6
2.1 Concept Related to Weaning 6
2.2 Dangers of the weaning period 7
2.2.1 Risks of starting solids early 11
2.2.2 What are the risks for early weaning 11
2.2.3 Solid food and iron 12
2.3. When to start weaning 12
2.4 Improvement of weaning practices 13
2.5 Harmful weaning practices 16
2.6 Theoretical Framework 18
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY
3.0 Introduction 23
3.1
Research Design
23
3.2
Population 23
3.3 Sample size and sampling Technique 23
3.4 Instrumentation 25
3.5 Validity and reliability of Instruments 25
3.6 Method of Data Collection 25
3.7
Method of Data Analysis 25
3.8Ethical Consideration 25
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS, RESULTS AND
DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
4.0 Introduction 27
4.1 Data analysis and results 28
4.2 Discussion of Findings 33
Content Page
CHAPTER
FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1
Summary
36
5.2 Conclusion 36
5.3 Recommendations 37
5.4 Limitation of the Study 37
5.5 Suggestion for Further Studies 37
REFERENCES 38
APPENDICES 41
LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
1: Mothers Selection from the three Primary Health Centers in Ikenne Local Government Area 24
2: Demographic data of participants 28
3: Descriptive
statistics on Mothers Knowledge regarding infant weaning 29
4: Mothers Knowledge level on infant weaning 30
5: Descriptive statistics on mothers practices
concerning infant weaning 30
6: Level of mothers practices on infant weaning 31
7: Inferential statistics on occupation and
weaning practices among mothers 31
8: Inferential statistics on educational level
and weaning practices among 32
9: Inferential statistics on ethnicity and infant weaning practices among mothers 32
10: Inferential statistics on mothers’ knowledge level and infant weaning practices among mothers 33
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page
1: Effect of infections: Practical Mother and Child Health in Developing Countries 9
2: The food square: Practical Mother and Child Health in Developing 16
3: Theoretical Framework 20
4: Conceptual Model 21
APPENDICES
Appendix Page
A: Research questionnaire 39
B: Pictures from the field work 42
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Weaning is the introduction of supplementary food to a child’s diet
after the first six months of life. Infant weaning with supplementary feeds of
breast milk substitutes, early introduction of complementary feeding and
incorrect weaning from breast milk are commonly found practices in communities
around the world (Inayati, Scherbaum, Purwestri, Hormann, Wirawan, Suryantan,
Hartono, Bloem, Pangaribuan, Biesalki, Hoffmann, & Bellows, 2012). The
period of weaning could involve a lot of problems and usually information gap
exist in relation to how and when weaning takes place. Adequate nutrition
during infancy and early childhood is essential for growth and development of
children (Ashmika, Deerajen, Prity & Rajesh, 2013). It has been recognized
worldwide that breastfeeding is beneficial for both the mother and child as
breastmilk is considered the best source of nutrition for an infant (Ku &
Chow, 2010). The World Health Organization (WHO) as said by Hanif (2011 recommends
that infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months after
which complementary foods are introduced along with breastmilk for up to two
years of age or beyond. The first two years of life are critical stages for a
child’s growth and development. Any damage caused by nutritional deficiencies
during this period could lead to impaired cognitive development, compromised
educational achievement and low economic productivity (Kimani-Murage, Madise,
Fotso, Kyobutungi, Mutau, Gitau & Yatich, 2011).
Poor breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices, together
with high rates of morbidity from infectious diseases are the prime proximate
causes of malnutrition in the first two years of life. Breastfeeding confers
both short-term and long-term benefits to a child. It reduces infections and
mortality among infants, improves mental and motor development, and protects
against obesity and metabolic diseases later in life (WHO, 2010). According to
Kimani-Murage et al., (2011), the WHO
recommends exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months, beginning from the
first hour of life, to meet the infant’s nutritional requirements and achieve
optimal growth, development and health. The mother is advised to continue
breastfeeding up to two years of age or more and begin nutritionally adequate,
safe, and appropriately-fed complementary foods at the age of six months in order
to meet the evolving needs of the growing infant. Since weaning is a process by
which food other than breast milk is introduced gradually into baby’s diet,
first to complement the breast milk and then to wean totally off breast milk involve
selecting light nutritious food for easy absorption. Then later replace light
nutritious food with thicker feed using hygiene practices when preparing them
but majority of nutrition problems in rural areas are due to faulty weaning
food (Shadia & Bedor, 2013).
Predictors of breastfeeding and weaning practices vary between and
within countries. Factors that influence the weaning process include infant
feeding problems such as refusal to eat, colic, diarrhoea and vomiting (Ashmika
et al., 2013). These factors represent
challenges for mothers and in turn may either directly or indirectly influence
the feeding pattern. In view of the identified factors, which are early
introduction of complementary feeding and incorrect weaning from breast milk,
the researcher would carry out a study on infant weaning knowledge and practices
among mothers in ikenne local government area, Ogun State
1.2 Statement
of the Problem
Weaning has been one of the most wrongly practiced processes in the
developmental stages of the children. It
was observed that mothers give their infant other food apart from breast
milk right from birth while some delayed supplementary diet till above Nine
months with either cases having negative effect on the infant. WHO (Hanif,
2011) recommends a gradual weaning period from 6 months to 2 years, this allows
for the child to still receive the benefits from breastfeeding, while also
consuming the necessary nutrients from the complementary foods. But almost half
of the mothers (52%) abruptly weaned their children while only 11.6% gradually
weaned their children as complementary food is being addedto the children diet
(Somiya, 2014). The time of weaning is one of the most critical aspects of
child’s life. It is the transition period at which the child whose main food used
to be milk changes over to adult food. Usually if this period of change in diet
is well-planned and progresses smoothly, there will be no setbacks, but in a
large number of children, malnutrition usuallytakes place during this period.
Ten million children under the age of 5 years old die each year (Somiya, 2014).
More than half of the deaths occur because of poor weaning that leads to
malnutrition. If adequate health systems were in place nearly two-third of the
deaths could be prevented. The most vulnerable period for developing
under-nutrition remains the transition from breastfeeding to family foods.
Malnourished children often suffer the loss of precious mental capacities. They
fall ill more often. If they survive, they may grow up with lasting mental or
physical disabilities (Dinesh & Sushilkumar, 2011).
Poor quality of weaning foods and improper weaning practices
predispose infants to malnutrition, growth retardation, infection, diseases and
high mortality (Somiya, 2014). Food is expected to be prepared adequately
containing the required nutrients as well as appropriate with a suitable
texture and temperature. Without the knowledge of proper weaning practices as
well as a perception of the child’s hunger needs, malnutrition and illness may
ensue. Thus, the weaning period is therefore a vulnerable time when the child
should be attentively cared for and observed so as to maintain health (Somiya,
2014). Therefore, information gotten on weaning will improve mother’s practice
of weaning since the mother is the most important person in a baby’s life for
both its physical as well as its psychosocial care and growth. The
mother-infant relationship is the most vital formative relationship for the
child. There arises a need to prevent wrong assumption of mothers on weaning
process and timing, there is need for sound education, effective information
and sufficient knowledge of weaning to be instilled in mothers. Nurses can be
agent of carrying out the educational needs for weaning infants in proper way.
Therefore, the need for a study on infant weaning knowledge and practices among
mothers in Ikenne Local Government Area, Ogun State.
1.3 Objective
of the Study
The main objective of this study is to explore infant weaning
knowledge and practices among mothers in Ikenne local government area, Ogun
State. The specific objectives are to:
INFANT WEANING KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES AMONG MOTHERS IN IKENNE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OGUN STATE
