Description
Determinants of early weaning practices among breastfeeding mothers attending Diocesan Hospital, Amichi.
Abstract
Weaning is the gradual replacement of breastfeeding with other nutritious foods for infants. This study was carried out to determine the weaning practices of mothers. The area of study was Diocesan Hospital Amichi, Nnewi-South Local Government Area, Anambra State. The objectives of the study were to determine the level of weaning practices among breastfeeding mothers, to identify factors of weaning and to identify possible strategies to reveal the weaning practices. The significance of this research work were to: reveal the findings of the research objectives, to reveal areas of deficiencies and malpractices, to equip community nurses with knowledge for better education of mothers and to guide the channeling of governmental and non-governmental resources. The instrument used for data collection was questionnaires. Using a convenience sampling method, a total of 150 mothers of infants aged 1-12 months were selected for the study. The result of the study showed that 54% of mothers introduced weaning at the age 3 months, occupation, lack of income and lack of knowledge and other factors prompted them to wean at the age, 58% used pap fortified with soya-bean, milk and sugar as their major weaning foods introduced to infants were cerelac, mashed yam/potatoes, indomie, moi-moi/ rice, fish, meat. 34% which amounts to the majority of the mothers, although a good number practiced weaning using cup and spoon-feeding, and 78% which amounts to the majority of the mothers said occupation and lack of income to wean their infants using WHO recommended weaning practice, strategies to discourage and 90% which amounts the majority of the mothers suggest proper education. Based on the findings, the researcher recommended weaning practices using audio-visual aids in the hospital and community settings. The work was summarized and concluded based on the research findings..
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