Anthropometric Status and Feeding Practices of Infants (0 - 12months) in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

Background: Infant nutrition is an integral part of infant health. Infant feeding practices are feeding options and activities undertaken by mothers/caregivers to meet the infant’s nutritional needs. Objectives: This study assessed the anthropometric status and feeding practices of infants (0-12months) in Awka, Anambra State. Methods: A cross sectional survey design was adopted. The population of the study were all the mothers with infants (0-12months). Data collection was done using a closed ended questionnaire. Recumbent length was measured using an infantometer and reading was taken to the nearest 0.1cm. Weight was taken using bathroom weighing scale and measurement was taken to the nearest 0.1kg. WHO-Anthro was used to assess the anthropometric status of the infants. In the classification of knowledge questions, correct response was assigned the value of one while zero was given to the wrong responses. The knowledge and attitude score was derived from the summation of the individual question scores, while the percentage knowledge score was obtained by dividing the knowledge score by the number of knowledge items. Knowledge was graded thus: poor knowledge (≤ 39.9), fair knowledge (40.0-69.9), while good knowledge (≥ 70.0). Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22.0. Descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage, mean and standard deviation) were used for analysis. The Significant difference was judged at p<0.05. Results: About 42.1% of the infants were between 6-9months. The result revealed that many of the nursing mothers (65.5%) who participated in the study had good knowledge on practice of breastfeeding and continued breastfeeding at one year. About 10.3% of the infants were stunted, while 1.8% infants were severely stunted. Males (11.3%) were more stunted than females (9.7%). About 10.3% of the infants were underweight, while 1.8% were severely underweight. Males (11.3%) were more underweight than females (9.7%). The study also showed that 22.4% of infants were overweight, 5.5% infants had possible risk of overweight. Conclusion: Although many of the mothers had good knowledge and attitude on infant feeding practices, some of the mothers practiced early cessation of breast milk, early as well as late introduction of complementary foods.