Association Between Complementary Feeding and Growth of Infant in Onitsha Anambra State

ABSTRACT The study examined the association between complementary feeding and the growth of infants in Onitsha, Anambra State. The objectives were to identify the types of complementary feeds mothers give their babies in Onitsha, determine the differences in the weight of infants fed with different types of complementary feed, determine the differences in the length of infants fed with different types of complementary feed and determine the difference in the weight of infants introduced to complementary feed at various ages. Four hypotheses were raised to guide the study.Relevant relatedliteratures were reviewed on the topic. Developmental research design was used for the study. The target population was 1474, while sample size of 305 was determined using Krejcie and Morgan Formula. Instruments for data collection were beam balance weighing scale, calibrated wooden board, a certified proforma and researcher developed questionnaire. Data collection commenced at their first visits to the clinics,at 6 weeks and at intervals of one month through the 9th months, with focus on the 6th month. Data were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences(SPSS) for windows version 17.Major findings showed that 98% of the mothers had introduced complementary feed to their babies, 90% fed their babies with pap, while 89.3%, added infant formula to the feed.89.3% added infant formula to the feeds, while 5.7% used soya bean powder. Almost half of the mothers (44.5%) introduced feed at 6 months while 20.4% introduced theirsat 4 months. Majority (50.2%) of mothers fed their babies average of 4 times a day. There was a significant difference in the weight of infants fed with different types of complementary feeds throughout the period of the study. No significant differences were found in the weight and length of the infants in relation to age of introduction of the feeds, and the frequency of feeding. The study concluded that most mothers fed their babies with pap, and there were significant differences in the weight of infants fed with different types of complementary feeds. Based on these findings recommendations were made to intensify efforts on nutrition education among mothers, encouraging them on the use of our locally available feeds which are cheaper and alwaysavailable. This would reduce infant mortality to the barest minimum.