Weaning Habits and Nutritional Status Determinants among under-5 Children in Nigeria

Introduction: High household income may not guarantee a satisfactory nutritional outcome of the children if households are lacking of care, dietary quality and health care access. Malnutrition will persist despite rapid income growth if more effective approach to combat the problem is absent. This study was carried out to determine the influence of correct feeding habits on the nutritional status among under-fives in an urban city in southwestern Nigeria.

Methodology: This was a community based, cross-sectional, descriptive study, investigations such as dietary survey, anthropometry and clinical examination were done. A multistage sampling technique was used in the study. Data were collected via pretested, close ended, interviewer administered questionnaire. The questionnaires obtained from the study were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS version 20) software program.

Results: A total of 407 participants with the mean age of 26.58 ± 10.10 months were recruited into the study. Exclusive breastfeeding was practiced by 39.8 % of the mothers. About 56.5% of the mothers reported having given their babies the first milk (colostrum). The mean age of weaning off breast was 7.4 ±1.5 months. Immunization coverage among the respondents were BCG- 82.1%, Oral polio= 81.3%, Pentavalent [DPT 3] = 87.2% and Measles=88.7%. The mid upper arm circumference revealed 30(55.6%) of male were at greater risk of malnutrition than female 24(44.4%), while 45(56.1%) of males had severe malnutrition. Mean head circumference for age Z-score test between boys and girls in age group 13 to 24 months [p=0.009, C.I= -0.27-0.19] and 25 to 36 months were significant statistically (p =0.003, - 0.35-0.22). The value for age group 37-48 months was p=0.53, C.I= 0.015-0.59 and p=0.57, C.I= 2.59-1.70 for 49-60 months was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: This study has shown that the mean age of weaning was 7.4 ±1.5 months. It also reported the mean values of head circumference to be significantly lower among girls than boys below 36 months and this may have developmental and nutritional implications in Nigeria and other African countries.