KNOWLEDGE, ATTITIDE, AND PRACTICES TOWARDS COMPLEMENTARY FEEDING AMONG MOTHERS OF CHILDREN FROM 6-24 MONTHS AT WAKISO HEALTH CENTER IV, WAKISO DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background

Complementary feeding is the transitional period in which other foods (semi-solids and liquids) are introduced to the baby in addition to breast milk. The study aims to assess the level of knowledge attitudes and practices towards complementary feeding among mothers of children from 6-24 months at Wakiso Health Center IV, Wakiso district.

 Methodology

A descriptive cross-sectional study in which the Quantitative method was used to source data which helped to determine measures of central tendency such as percentages and ratios to establish relationships between variables. Data analysis was done through tallying, coding, and editing. Raw data was cleaned and entered into the computer using Microsoft spreadsheets for frequency distribution tables and charts.

 Results

 (70%) of the respondents were married, (16%) were separated, (10%) were single and the least (4%) were divorced. 56% accepted that children should be given complementary foods more than 3 times a day while 44% said that children should be given complementary foods 2-3 times a day. 48% of the respondents strongly disagreed that some food e.g. eggs are so hard for the baby to digest with 56% of them disagreeing on stopping complementary foods during illness. 48%(24/50) of the mothers introduced complementary feeding at the age of 6 months. 36%(18/50) of the mothers introducing below 6 months

 Conclusion

Mothers had sufficient knowledge and practices while worrying traces of poor attitudes towards complementary feeding were revealed among many mothers.

 Recommendation

Complementary feeding education targeting behavioral change among young, single, and uneducated mothers of developing countries is important to reduce child morbidity and mortality.