Infant and Young Child-Feeding Practices in Two Local Government Areas in Southwest, Nigeria

Author(s): Funmilayo Esther Omotoye, Raymond Ade Samuel Adesanmi

Inadequate feeding of 0-2 years children have long been observed in our society and it is one of the global problems causing malnutrition worldwide. The study was cross sectional in design. It was conducted among consenting mothers and caregivers with 504 children 0-24 months in two local government areas (LGA) in Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria. Respondents were selected using simple random sampling technique. Data was collected on assessment of Infant and young child feeding practice using semi-structured, interviewer administered questionnaires to obtain information on demographic characteristics, breastfeeding practices and complementary feeding practices. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Analysis of categorical data between the two groups was performed with Chi-square of Fisher’s exact test. The p-values <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20 was used for the analysis. All the 504 children 0-24 months assessed were breastfed, 216 (42.9%) initiated breastfeeding within one hour after birth, 138 (27.4%); 78 (28.3%) in Ijero and 60 (26.3%) in Ikole LGAs infants were exclusively breastfed and only 154 (30.6%) were breastfed exclusively for a duration of 5-6 months. Of the 347 children 6-24 months, 124 (35.7%); 79 (40.7%) in Ijero and 45 (29.4%) in Ikole LGAs were fed on appropriate complementary food and 241 (69.5%) initiated complementary feeding at the age of 6 months. Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practice was poor in this study. Therefore, it is important to strengthen the promotion on IYCF practice during child welfare clinics and via mass media.