A Study on Maternal Knowledge and Practices Related to Weaning Foods

Adequate nutrition in infancy and early childhood is crucial for promoting health, growth, development, and overall well-being in children. This research aimed to assess mothers' knowledge and practices about weaning foods for children under two, exploring links to demographics like age, education, and socioeconomic status. It undertaken to inform future interventions for promoting healthy feeding habits. This research was conducted as a cross-sectional descriptive study, focusing on a sample of 385 mothers at the Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital located in Tongi, Gazipur, Bangladesh. Data collection was carried out using a meticulously designed structured questionnaire, which facilitated the systematic gathering of information from the participants. The study reveals that only 5.14% of the participants reported having a sufficient family income, with a higher rate of 32.0% in rural regions with low educational attainment: 41.7% completed only secondary education, 1.1% had no formal education, and 13.7% had just primary education. Despite 67.4% of educated mothers being aware of weaning, they still struggled with low family income due to high living costs in urban (43.4%) and suburban (24.6%) areas. The present research underscores a significant link among education, economic stability, and child nutrition, indicating that while families may possess basic knowledge of weaning practices, financial constraints significantly impede their capacity to ensure proper nutrition for their children. These findings emphasize the need for focused interventions that improve educational resources related to child nutrition while simultaneously tackling the economic challenges encountered by families in these communities.