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Published:
Dec 30, 2023Keywords:
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Complementary Feeding Practices and Psychosocial Care Level of Nursing Mothers of Under-five Children in Ogun State.
Abstract
Introduction: Psychosocial care is the process by which caregivers (mothers, siblings, fathers and childcare providers) are meeting the needs of infants in terms of adequate nutrition, emotional, social, mental and healthcare for promoting healthy growth and development. This study therefore was aimed to assess the influence of psychosocial care during complementary feeding among mothers
Methodology: It was a cross-sectional designed, and the sample size was statistically calculated to arrive at 385 mothers. A structured and self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-economic status; psychosocial care during complementary feeding practices and WHO feeding indicators was used to assess feeding practices of the mothers. Data were analysed using both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics.
Results: The study showed that 52.1% of respondents were between aged 20 to 29 years, 88.1% were married, while others were either single or divorced mothers. The feeding indicator showed that 21.5% of respondents met the Minimum Adequate Diet. Half of the respondents (50%) monitored amount of food consumed by the children, while 12.4% encouraged the children to finish the served food. The study established that low proportion of mothers exhibited good (30.9%) psychosocial care during complementary feeding, while others exhibited fair (68%) and bad (1.1%), respectively. However, there was insignificant relationship between maternal psychosocial care and complementary feeding practices (χ2; p>0.05); whereas, there were significant differences between maternal psychosocial care and maternal age (χ2; p=0.043) as well as religion (χ2; p=0.031).
Conclusion: The study concluded that low proportion of mothers had good maternal psychosocial care during complementary feeding. Therefore, maternal nutrition education should be encouraged during antenatal and post-natal clinics.
