Mothers’ Competence in Child Feeding Recommendations, Complementary Feeding Practices and Determinants of Adequate Diet

Abstract

Background Appropriate complementary feeding is critical for optimal nutrition in infant and young children as it ensures their growth, health and development to attain their full potential. However, evidence shows children from developing countries do not meet the core indicators for appropriate complementary feeding. We evaluated mothers’ competency in infant and young child feeding recommendations and their association to complementary feeding practices among children aged 6–23 months.Methods This cross-sectional study included 200 children aged 6–23 months and their mothers/care givers recruited during the child welfare clinics of two health facilities in Ghana. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess determinants of appropriate diet.Results Sixty-eight percent of the mothers knew the recommended duration of continued breastfeeding, 56.5% how to ensure dietary diversity and enrich their children’s diets and 94% (n = 188) had positive attitude towards recommended infant and young child feeding practices. Majority of the mothers (92%, n = 183) practiced continued breastfeeding, 10.5% of the children met minimum diet diversity score, 39.5% minimum meal frequency and 8.5% received minimum acceptable diet. Determinants of receipt of minimum adequate diet were: having high knowledge in child feeding recommendations (100% vs. 0.0; p < 0.001) and child’s father reportedly earning enough financially (AOR = 12.1 (1.32–109.72; p = 0.027).Conclusion Poor complementary feeding practices were common and mother’s knowledge levels regarding infant and young child feeding recommendations as well as the income levels of the child’s father were important determinants of appropriate diet. Nutrition education should emphasis on improving mothers’ nutrition knowledge regarding infant and young child feeding and supporting mothers to overcome barriers to feed their children with appropriate complementary foods.