Maternal Factors Associated with Feeding Practices and Nutritional Status of Under Five Children in Abeokuta North Local Government, Ogun State, Nigeria
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Date
2025-12
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Lead City University Ibadan
Abstract
This study investigates the maternal factors influencing feeding practices and the nutritional status of children aged 6–24 months attending primary healthcare centers in Abeokuta North Local Government, Ogun State. The objectives are to assess maternal knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding infant feeding and their impact on child nutrition. This research fills a gap by examining the interplay between maternal factors and child nutrition through the lens of Social Cognitive Theory to understand behavioral influences. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. The study population comprised mothers of infants aged 6–24 months, with 375 mothers sampled using multi-stage sampling techniques. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and anthropometric measurements and analyzed using SPSS. Key findings revealed that 61.1% of children had a normal height-for-age, while 27.2% and 11.7% were moderately and severely stunted, respectively. Additionally, 24.3% of children were severely underweight. The study concludes that maternal education and attitudes significantly influence feeding practices, whereas knowledge alone was not significantly associated with better nutritional outcomes. It is recommended that targeted educational programs and community support systems be strengthened to improve feeding practices and address malnutrition
Keywords: Maternal Factors, Feeding Practices, Nutritional Status
Word Count: 185
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Keywords
Maternal Factors, Feeding Practices, Nutritional Status
Citation
Kate Turabian