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

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.

  • Page Number : 9-19

  • Published Date : 2024-10-20

  • Keywords
    Maternal-Food-Insecurity, Child feeding practices, Type of complementary foods, Unfortified cereals

  • DOI Number
    10.15415/jmrh.2024.111002

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

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