| dc.description.abstract | The study was carried out in Kibera Estate, Nairobi Kenya with an objective to assess the factors affecting the feeding practices of mothers of infants zero to six (0-6) months.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to collect data through a quantitative approach. A total of 300 mothers of infants six months old and below were interviewed.
Results: The study revealed that 89.3% of the sample lived in the urban informal settlements and average household size was 5 members per household, 78.3% were unemployed, 54.6% had little or no education, 40.3% were 25 years and above while 24.7% were 18 years or less. 37.7% were
married. About 49.3% of infants were fed on breast milk while 50.7% received cow’s or formula milk. Mixed feeding was widely practiced with largely formula milk, porridge or gruel and herbal drinks. Discarding colostrums, giving pre-lacteal feeds, introduction of other foods too early were some of the common practices noted among the mothers.
Conclusions: The study concluded that not all infants aged zero to six months are exclusively breastfed, social-demographic factors have a significant effect on infant feeding practices and culture is significantly related to infant feeding practices. | en_US |
