Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Child malnutrition remains a major public health concern in Nigeria, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality among children under five. Maternal knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) are key determinants of child nutritional outcomes.
Objective: This study assessed maternal knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding child nutrition and examined the nutritional status of children aged 0–59 months in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area (LGA), Rivers State, Nigeria.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 330 mothers selected through a multi-stage sampling technique from four Primary Health Care (PHC) centers. Data were collected using a validated interviewer-administered questionnaire (reliability coefficient = 0.87). Anthropometric measurements were obtained using standard World Health Organization (WHO) procedures. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis at a significance level of p < 0.05.
Results: Mothers demonstrated moderate nutritional knowledge (mean = 2.79 ± 0.24), with gaps in portion control and food hygiene. Attitudes were generally positive (mean = 2.74 ± 0.21), with a preference for scientific guidance. Feeding practices were moderately appropriate (mean = 2.85 ± 0.43), though deficiencies existed in exclusive breastfeeding and timely complementary feeding. Most children (69.1%) had normal nutritional status; however, 14.5% were stunted, 8.2% underweight, and 5.5% wasted. A strong positive relationship was observed between maternal KAP and child nutritional status (R = 0.921, R² = 0.848, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Maternal KAP significantly influences child nutritional status. Targeted, culturally appropriate nutrition education and interventions addressing socio-economic barriers are essential to improve child nutrition outcomes in urban Nigerian settings.
Keywords
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
- Awogbenja, M. D., Osabo, P. O., Ojo, C. A., & Monday, G. (2022). Mothers' feeding practice and nutritional status of infants in selected primary health care center of Paikoro Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria. *Nursing & Primary Care, 6*(5), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.33425/2639-9474.1227
- Dolapo, O., & Olanreqaju, M. F. (2021). Determinants of nutritional practices among mothers with under-five children is paramount in curbing the high rate of morbidities and mortalities among under-five children. *AJPO Journals, 6*(2), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.52589/AJHNM-EWPLCHYM
- Nafista, U. F., Nurhaeni, N., & Waluyanti, F. T. (2023). Improvement in maternal knowledge, attitudes, and children's weight with education on World Health Organization feeding recommendations. *La Pediatria medica e chirurgica, 45*(1), 314. https://doi.org/10.4081/pmc.2023.314
- National Population Commission (NPC) [Nigeria] & ICF. (2019). *Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018.* NPC and ICF.
- Seun, E. O. S. (2022). Nutritional knowledge and feeding practice among mothers of under-five children attending primary health care clinic in Ikorodu Local Government Area. *Texila International Journal of Public Health, 10*(2), 119–130. https://doi.org/10.21522/tijph.2013.10.02.art011
- Sulaiman, S., Muhammad, A., Sa'id, A., Abubakar, H., & Maiwada, S. (2020). Assessment of nutritional status, knowledge, attitude and practices of infant and young child feeding in Kumbotso Local Government Area, Kano State, Nigeria. *Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 19*(10), 444–450. https://doi.org/10.3923/pjn.2020.444.450
- United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). (2023). *The state of the world's children 2023: For every child, vaccination.* UNICEF.
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). *Infant and young child feeding.* WHO. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding
References
Awogbenja, M. D., Osabo, P. O., Ojo, C. A., & Monday, G. (2022). Mothers' feeding practice and nutritional status of infants in selected primary health care center of Paikoro Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria. *Nursing & Primary Care, 6*(5), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.33425/2639-9474.1227
Dolapo, O., & Olanreqaju, M. F. (2021). Determinants of nutritional practices among mothers with under-five children is paramount in curbing the high rate of morbidities and mortalities among under-five children. *AJPO Journals, 6*(2), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.52589/AJHNM-EWPLCHYM
Nafista, U. F., Nurhaeni, N., & Waluyanti, F. T. (2023). Improvement in maternal knowledge, attitudes, and children's weight with education on World Health Organization feeding recommendations. *La Pediatria medica e chirurgica, 45*(1), 314. https://doi.org/10.4081/pmc.2023.314
National Population Commission (NPC) [Nigeria] & ICF. (2019). *Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018.* NPC and ICF.
Seun, E. O. S. (2022). Nutritional knowledge and feeding practice among mothers of under-five children attending primary health care clinic in Ikorodu Local Government Area. *Texila International Journal of Public Health, 10*(2), 119–130. https://doi.org/10.21522/tijph.2013.10.02.art011
Sulaiman, S., Muhammad, A., Sa'id, A., Abubakar, H., & Maiwada, S. (2020). Assessment of nutritional status, knowledge, attitude and practices of infant and young child feeding in Kumbotso Local Government Area, Kano State, Nigeria. *Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 19*(10), 444–450. https://doi.org/10.3923/pjn.2020.444.450
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). (2023). *The state of the world's children 2023: For every child, vaccination.* UNICEF.
World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). *Infant and young child feeding.* WHO. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding