| dc.description.abstract | Background: Complementary feeding is defined as the process starting when breast milk
alone is no longer sufficient to meet the nutritional requirements of infants, and therefore
other foods and liquids are needed, along with breast milk. The transition from exclusive
breastfeeding to family foods – referred to as complementary feeding typically covers the
period from 6 - 24 months of age, even though breastfeeding may continue up to two years of
age and beyond.
Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine knowledge, attitude and practices of
lactating mothers towards complementary feeding in order to reduce the morbidity and
mortality among the under-five children.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study and descriptive in nature, employing quantitative
methods of data collection which was used to assess knowledge, attitude and practices of
lactating mothers towards complementary feeding among 108 lactating mothers at Kateete
health center II who were selected using systematic sampling method, data was analyzed
using SPSS version 20.
Results: From the data analyzed, all 100% of the respondents knew that the baby should be
breastfed on demand and most of them 88.9% exclusively breastfed their babes for six
months, 70.4% of the respondents knew that fruits and vegetables are suitable complementary
foods, 75.9% had knowledge that a child should be assisted to eat until 2 years of age, 82.4%
of the respondents knew that breastfeeding should be initiated within an hour after birth.
Three quarter of the respondents strongly disagreed that it is not possible for baby to survive
on breastfeeding for six months while 65.7% of them also strongly agreed that exclusive
breastfeeding is enough for the child before six months. 58.3% of the respondents initiated
complementary feeding before six months. Half 50.9% of the respondents fed their children
three times a day, and 64.8% washed their hands with soap before feeding the baby
.
Conclusions and Recommendations: In conclusion, this study revealed that knowledge of
the mothers towards CF was good, the attitude was moderate and the practices of CF was
poor as majority introduced CF before six months. Therefore, the study recommends accurate
information and education to be given to mothers and caregivers about appropriate timing of
initiating CF, CF foods, preparation and practices to prevent malnutrition and improve the
health status of the children. Emphasize the need of teaching mothers the importance of
infant feeding. | en_US |
