Influence of Food-Insecurity on Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding Practices Among Nursing Mothers Attending State Specialist Hospitals, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

Home > 2024, Vol. 11 No. 01 > Influence of Food-Insecurity on Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding Practices Among Nursing Mothers Attending State Specialist Hospitals, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
Published: October 20, 2024
Download PDF
Download HTML

Authors

Oluwole Steve Ijarotimi, Kolawole Paul Olaiyapo, Ayotomiwa Faith Oludahunsi and Remilekun Akinrinmade

DOI Number
https://doi.org/10.15415/jmrh.2024.111002
Keywords
Maternal-Food-Insecurity, Child feeding practices, Type of complementary foods, Unfortified cereals

Abstract

Background: Poor access to healthy foods as a result of poverty is becoming a public health challenge, particularly in many low-income countries, where many households are threatened with low purchasing power.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of maternal food insecurity on infant-feeding practices among caregivers attending State Specialist Hospital, Akure, Nigeria.

Method: The research was a cross-sectional study to assess maternal socio demographic characteristics, nutrition knowledge, and the influence of food insecurity status on breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics of mothers, breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices, and food-insecurity-related situations in the previous 30 days of the survey. Data were analyzed using a statistical package.

Results: The maternal age was between 18 and 40 years, and a large percentage of the nursing mothers were Yoruba (75.1%). Most of the mothers had formal education (98.1%) and were self-employed (79.1%). Maternal-child-feeding knowledge showed that four-fifths (80%) had good knowledge on when to initiate breastfeeding, 68.9% on the duration of exclusive breastfeeding, 66.6% on the age at which to introduce complementary foods to infants, and 71.4% on the risks associated with late introduction of complementary food to the infants. Mothers experiencing mild food insecurity (20.2%), moderate food insecurity (15.2%), and severe food insecurity (8.9%) reported that they were not practicing exclusive breastfeeding, breastfeeding less than 3 times daily, and abruptly stopping breastfeeding, respectively. Besides, results showed that a high percentage of mothers were unable to feed their infants with a variety of complementary foods and quantity. The types of complementary foods used by the mothers varied from unfortified sorghum (36%), fortified sorghum (egg or soybean) (45%), and commercial infant formula (19%).

Conclusion: The findings of the study showed that almost half of the nursing mothers were food insecure, and the food-insecure mothers did not practice exclusive breastfeeding, and most of the mothers were using unfortified cereals as complementary foods for their infants due to low income and lack of food.

References

  • Abeshu, M. A., Lelisa, A., & Geleta, B. (2016). Complementary feeding: Review of recommendations, feeding practices, and adequacy of homemade complementary food preparations in developing countries—Lessons from Ethiopia. Frontiers in Nutrition, 3, 41. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2016.00041
  • Ahmad, N., Shahnawaz, S. K., & Alam, Z. (2021). Food insecurity: Concept, causes, effects and possible solutions. Journal of Innovative and Advanced Research in Humanities and Social Sciences, 2, 105–113. https://doi.org/10.47310/jiarjhss.v02i01.016
  • Ahmed, S. O. M., Hamid, H. I. A., Shanmugam, A. J., Tia, M. M. G., & Alnassry, S. M. A. (2023). Impact of exclusive breastfeeding on physical growth. Clinical Nutrition Open Science, 49, 101–106.
  • Akpor, O., Oluwadare, T., Taiwo, O., Aladenika, B., & Akpor, O. (2020). Feeding and weaning practices among mothers of under-five children in selected primary health care centres in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti, Nigeria. Potravinarstvo Slovak Journal of Food Sciences, 14, 42–51. https://doi.org/10.5219/1211
  • Al Mamun, M. A., Saha, S., Li, J., Binta, A., Ghani, R., Al Hasan, S. M., & Begum, A. (2022). Child feeding practices of childbearing mothers and their household food insecurity in a coastal region of Bangladesh. Inquiry, 59, 469580221096277. https://doi.org/10.1177/00469580221096277
  • Baig-Ansari, N., Rahbar, M. H., Bhutta, Z. A., & Badruddin, S. H. (2006). Children’s gender and household food insecurity are associated with stunting among young Pakistani children residing in urban squatter settlements. Food and Nutrition Bulletin, 27, 114–127.
  • Benson, J., DeVries, M., McLaurin-Jiang, S., & Garner, C. D. (2024). Experiences accessing nutritious foods and perceptions of nutritional support needs among pregnant and postpartum mothers with low income in the United States. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 20(4), e13660. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13660
  • Beyene, S. D. (2023). The impact of food insecurity on health outcomes: Empirical evidence from sub-Saharan African countries. BMC Public Health, 23, 338. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15244-3
  • Black, R. E., Allen, L. H., Bhutta, Z. A., Caulfield, L. E., De Onis, M., Ezzati, M., & Rivera, J. (2008). Maternal and child undernutrition: Global and regional exposures and health consequences. The Lancet, 371(9608), 243–260.
  • Coates, J., Swindale, A., & Bilinsky, P. (2007). Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) for measurement of food access: Indicator guide (Version 3). Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance Project, Academy for Educational Development.
  • Cook, J. T., Frank, D. A., Meyers, A. F., Berkowitz, C., Black, M. A., Casey, P. H., Cutts, D. B., Zaldivar, N., Skalicky, A., Levenson, S., Heeren, T., & Nord, M. (2004). Food insecurity is associated with adverse health outcomes among human infants and toddlers. The Journal of Nutrition, 134(6), 1432–1438. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/134.6.1432
  • Dewey, K. G. (2013). The challenge of meeting nutrient needs of infants and young children during the period of complementary feeding: An evolutionary perspective. The Journal of Nutrition, 143(12), 2050–2054. https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.113.182527
  • Dinour, L. M., Rivera Rodas, E. I., Amutah-Onukagha, N. N., & Doamekpor, L. A. (2020). The role of prenatal food insecurity on breastfeeding behaviors: Findings from the United States pregnancy risk assessment monitoring system. International Breastfeeding Journal, 15, 30. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-020-00276-x
  • Edafioghor, L. O., Asiegbu, U., Ezeonu, C., Iheme, G. O., Adeduntan, H., & Ekwueme, I. (2021). Maternal complementary feeding practices and anthropometric status of children (6–23 months) in Abakaliki, Nigeria: A facility-based study. World Nutrition, 12(2), 48–62.
  • Ella, R. E., Ndep, A. O., & Akpan, M. I. (2016). Factors affecting exclusive breastfeeding practice in rural communities of Cross River State, Nigeria. International Journal of Humanities Social Sciences and Education, 3(4), 101–110. http://dx.doi.org/10.20431/2349-0381.03040122
  • Elolu, S., Agako, A., & Okello, D. M. (2023). Household food security, child dietary diversity, and coping strategies among rural households: The case of Kole District in Northern Uganda. Dialogues in Health, 3, 100149.
  • Eyinla, T. E. (2021). Household food insecurity and nutrient adequacy of under-five children in selected urban areas of Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria. African Journal of Biomedical Research, 24(1), 41–46.
  • Ezeneme, E. V., Nwokike, C. E., Portion, U. C., & Nwanekezi, I. C. (2023). The influence of socioeconomic inequality on maternal and child health outcomes in Nigeria: A critical analysis. Global Scientific Journal, 11(10).
  • Forh, G., Apprey, C., Frimpomaa, & Agyapong, N. A. (2022). Nutritional knowledge and practices of mothers/caregivers and its impact on the nutritional status of children 6–59 months in Sefwi Wiawso Municipality, Western-North Region, Ghana. Heliyon, 8(12), e12330. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12330
  • Francis, J., Mildon, A., Tarasuk, V., & Frank, L. (2024). Household food insecurity is negatively associated with achievement of prenatal intentions to feed only breast milk in the first six months postpartum. Frontiers in Nutrition, 11, 1287347. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1287347
  • French, S. A., Tangney, C. C., Crane, M. M., Wang, Y., & Appelhans, B. M. (2019). Nutrition quality of food purchases varies by household income: The SHOPPER study. BMC Public Health, 19, 231. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-6546-2
  • Ganesan, S., Jayaraj, J., Geminiganesan, S., & Rajan, M. (2020). A study on parental awareness of feeding practices in children in the age-group 12–24 months. Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene, 62(4), E909–E917. https://doi.org/10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2021.62.4.2287
  • Guerrero, C. H., Cremades, R., Sierra-Diaz, E., de Lourdes López Flores, M., Murcia-Baquero, L. M., & Sandoval-Pinto, E. (2024). Association of food security with breastfeeding practices: A scoping review. Cureus, 16(5), e61177. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.61177
  • Hadley, C., & Patil, C. (2006). Food insecurity in rural Tanzania is associated with maternal anxiety and depression. American Journal of Human Biology, 18, 359–368.
  • Harpham, T., Huttly, S., De Silva, M. J., & Abramsky, T. (2005). Maternal mental health and child nutritional status in four developing countries. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 59, 1060–1064.
  • Henderson, J. J., Evans, S. F., Straton, J. A. Y., Priest, S. R., & Hagan, R. (2003). Impact of postnatal depression on breastfeeding duration. Birth, 30, 175–180.
  • Hossain, M. G., Bharati, P., Aik, S., Lestrel, P. E., Abeer, A., & Kamarul, T. (2012). Body mass index of married Bangladeshi women: Trends and association with socio-demographic factors. Journal of Biosocial Science, 44(4), 385–399.
  • Ijarotimi, O. S., & Ogunsemore, M. T. (2006). Weaning foods and their impact on child-feeding practices among low-income Nigerian mothers. Food and Nutrition Bulletin, 27(4), 327–334.
  • Iqbal, S., & Ali, I. (2021). Maternal food insecurity in low-income countries: Revisiting its causes and consequences for maternal and neonatal health. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 3, 100091. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2020.100091
  • Islam, A., Islam, N., Bharati, P., Aik, S., & Hossain, G. (2016). Socio-economic and demographic factors influencing nutritional status among early childbearing young mothers in Bangladesh. BMC Women’s Health, 16, 58. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-016-0338-y
  • Khaleque, A. (2023). Food security and poverty: Searching for a linkage in the poverty prone areas in Bangladesh. European Journal of Development Studies, 3(1), 85–94.
  • Khan, Z., & Ali, A. (2023). Global food insecurity and its association with malnutrition. Emerging Challenges in Agriculture and Food Science, 8, 2–19.
  • Magaji, B. D., Oladimeji, Y. U., Sunday, H., & Abdulkarim, A. G. (2021). Dietary diversity score and its determinants among rural households in Panshekara, Kano State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Economics, Environment and Social Sciences, 6(2), 44–54.
  • McLean, K. T., Minkovitz, C. S., Strobino, D. M., Marks, E., & Hou, W. (2006). Maternal depressive symptoms at 2 to 4 months post-partum and early parenting practices. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 160, 279–284.
  • Mitchodigni, I. M., Hounkpatin, W. A., Ntandou-Bouzitou, G., Termote, C., Kennedy, G., & Hounhouigan, D. J. (2017). Complementary feeding practices of children aged 6–23 months in rural area, Southern Benin: Challenges and opportunities. International Journal of Tropical Disease & Health, 24(2), 1–12.
  • Mutuku, J. N., Ochola, S., & Osero, J. (2020). Maternal knowledge and complementary feeding practices and their relationship with nutritional status among children 6–23 months old in pastoral community of Marsabit County, Kenya: A cross-sectional study. Current Research in Nutrition and Food Science, 8(3). http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CRNFSJ.8.3.17
  • Naaz, A., & Muneshwar, K. N. (2023). How maternal nutritional and mental health affects child health during pregnancy: A narrative review. Cureus, 15(11), e48763. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.48763
  • National Population Commission (NPC) Nigeria, & ICF. (2019). Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018 key indicators report. Abuja, Nigeria, and Rockville, Maryland, USA: NPC and ICF. https://www.dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR359/FR359.pdf
  • Neves, P. A. R., Gatica-Domínguez, G., Rollins, N. C., Piwoz, E., Baker, P., Barros, A. J. D., & Victora, C. G. (2019). Infant formula consumption is positively correlated with wealth, within and between countries: A multi-country study. Journal of Nutrition, 150(4), 910–917. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxz327
  • Okafor, I. P., Olatona, F. A., & Olufemi, O. A. (2014). Breastfeeding practices of mothers of young children in Lagos, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Paediatrics, 41(1), 43–47.
  • Piperata, B. A., Scaggs, S. A., Dufour, D. L., & Adams, I. K. (2023). Measuring food insecurity: An introduction to tools for human biologists and ecologists. American Journal of Human Biology, 35(2), e23821.
  • Shetty, P. (2009). Incorporating nutritional considerations when addressing food insecurity. Food Security, 1, 431–440. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-009-0039-6
  • Subramanian, S. V., Perkins, J. M., & Khan, K. T. (2009). Do burdens of underweight and overweight coexist among lower socioeconomic groups in India? American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 90(2), 369–376.
  • Tadesse, M., Dawed, Y. A., Fentaw, Z., Endawike, A., & Adamu, K. (2023). Determinants of inappropriate complementary feeding among children 6–23 months of age in Dessie City, Northeast Ethiopia: A case-control study. BMC Nutrition, 9, 124. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-023-00779-w
  • Whitaker, R. C., Phillips, S. M., & Orzol, S. M. (2006). Food insecurity and the risks of depression and anxiety in mothers and behavior problems in their preschool-aged children. Pediatrics, 118, e859–e868.
  • White, J. M., Bégin, F., Kumapley, R., Murray, C., & Krasevec, J. J. M. (2017). Complementary feeding practices: Current global and regional estimates. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 13, e12505.
  • World Health Organization (WHO). (2009). Infant and young child feeding: Model chapter for textbooks for medical students and allied health professionals. Geneva: World Health Organization.
  • World Health Organization (WHO)/UNICEF. (2003). Global strategy for infant and young child feeding. Geneva: WHO.
  • Yohannes, G., Wolka, E., Bati, T., & Yohannes, T. (2023). Household food insecurity and coping strategies among rural households in Kedida Gamela District, Kembata-Tembaro Zone, Southern Ethiopia: Mixed-methods concurrent triangulation design. BMC Nutrition, 9(4). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-022-00663-z
  • Zajacova, A., & Lawrence, E. M. (2018). The relationship between education and health: Reducing disparities through a contextual approach. Annual Review of Public Health, 39, 273–289. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-031816-044628

How to Cite

Oluwole Steve Ijarotimi, Kolawole Paul Olaiyapo, Ayotomiwa Faith Oludahunsi and Remilekun Akinrinmade. Influence of Food-Insecurity on Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding Practices Among Nursing Mothers Attending State Specialist Hospitals, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. J. Multidiscip. Res. Healthcare. 2024, 11, 9-19
Influence of Food-Insecurity on Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding Practices Among Nursing Mothers Attending State Specialist Hospitals, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

Current Issue

PeriodicityBiannually
Issue-1June
Issue-2December
ISSN Print2393-8536
ISSN Online2393-8544
RNI No.CHAENG/2014/57978

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Articles in Journal of Multidisciplinary Research in Healthcare by Chitkara University Publications are Open Access articles that are published with licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution- CC-BY 4.0 International License. Based on a work at https://jmrh.chitkara.edu.in/. This license permits one to use, remix, tweak and reproduction in any medium, even commercially provided one give credit for the original creation.

View Legal Code of the above-mentioned license, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode

View Licence Deed here https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Creative Commons License

Journal of Multidisciplinary Research in Healthcare by Chitkara University Publications is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at https://jmrh.chitkara.edu.in/

Visibility, Memberships and Ethics

Chitkara University

Chitkara University

India’s top rated university

Chandigarh-Patiala National Highway, Punjab 140 401

Chandigarh Information Center SCO 160-161, Sector 9-C, Chandigarh 160 009

Publisher

Corporate Office

Chitkara University Publications
Administrative Office, Saraswati Kendra
P.O. Box No. 70,
SCO 160-161, Sector- 9C, Chandigarh-160009, India.

Email: chitkarauniversitypublications@chitkara.edu.in

Editorial Office

Centre for Research Impact and Outcome
4th floor, Darwin Block
Chandigarh-Patiala National Highway, Rajpura
Punjab-140401, India

Phone: +91-9467730176
Email: editor.jmrh@chitkara.edu.in, journals@chitkara.edu.in

For journal, please visit the website: https://jmrh.chitkara.edu.in

The "Journal of Multidisciplinary Research in Healthcare” is a peer-reviewed, refereed, bi-annual, open-access journal of " Chitkara University Publications".

ISSN (p): 2393-8536; ISSN (e): 2393-8544; RNI No. CHAENG/2014/57978

Copyright ©2023 Chitkara Educational Trust | All rights reserved
Explore Your Potential

Chandigarh-Patiala National Highway, Punjab 140 401

Chandigarh Information Center SCO 160-161, Sector 9-C, Chandigarh 160 009