Infant feeding practices and nutritional knowledge of nursing mothers in Apam

Abstract

The study sought to find out infant feeding practices and nutritional knowledge of nursing mothers in Apam. Multiple methods of data collection procedures such as questionnaire and interviews were used for the study. A total of one hundred and fifty (150) respondents were purposively sampled for the study. The St Lukes hospital and the Reproductive and Child health center (RCHC) all in Apam were used for the study. The data obtained were analysed using SPSS Version 20 and presented in charts, frequency distribution tables and percentages. The results of this work indicated that mothers introduced their infants to complementary food too early in life which maybe a major contributory factor for the incidences of malnutrition in Apam. Therefore, the most urgent priority is to ensure access to, improve the quality and proper timing of complementary foods which should be given to infants from the sixth month. Evidence gathered also showed that majority of the nursing mothers believe that exclusive breast feeding protects the infants from diseases, saves the infants life, provides a nutritious easily digestible food for the infant and it’s a hygienic food with the right amount of nutrient also meets all water requirements that the infant needs. It was concluded that nursing mothers in Apam obtained nutritional knowledge from hospitals and clinics in which they obtained antenatal also nursing mothers depended on parents when it come to feeding. Even though majority practiced exclusive breast feeding, it was found out that some practiced the mixed, re-lactation, tandem feeding, induced lactation, extended breast feeding and expressed feeding.