Knowledge Attitude and Practices of Mothers regarding Complementary Feeding

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the knowledge attitude and practices of mothers regarding complementary feeing. Study Design: Descriptive study conducted at outpatient department of Civil Hospital Karachi over duration of 12 months. Material and Methods: One hundred and thirty-eight mothers of children age up till 2 years attending OPDof Pediatrics Civil Hospital Karachi were selected for the study. Mothers were interviewed to ascertain their infant feeding practices and various beliefs/taboos/ feeding during illness affecting these practices. Results: Malnutrition Hundred and thirty-eight mothers were interviewed. Hundred and nineteen (86.2%) mothers started breast milk soon after birth. The frequency of breastfeeding was high initially but then declined rapidly with supplementation of bottle feeding. Exclusive breastfeeding was of short duration. Knowledge attitude and practices of mothers regarding complementary feeing was poor in terms of quantity and quality. Commonestage of introduction of complementary feeding was before 6 months with readymade items as their first choice. Conclusion: The knowledge attitude and practices of mothers regarding EBF, complementary feeding, is defective. Therefore there is a need to educate mothers to ensure better growth and development of our children.

Keywords

• malnutrition
• complementary feeding practices
• breast feeding
• infant.