Complementary feeding practices and nutritional status of children 6 to 23 months in Wakiso district

Abstract

Introduction: Proper complementary and breast feeding practices result into 63% reduction in child mortality. In Uganda, 60% of child mortality rates are directly or indirectly caused by malnutrition. However, efforts reduce child mortality rates slow with reduction rates ranging from 156 to 137 per 1000 live births between 1995 and 2009 respectively. Stunting rates also increase from 30% to 50% during the complementary feeding period. Interventions include; adapting infant and young child feeding guideline from W.H.O. However, the complementary feeding practices are still poor with only 6% of complementary feeding children being fed receiving appropriately. Objectives: To assess the complementary feeding practices and Nutritional status among children 6 to 23 months in wakiso district. Methods: The community based cross sectional study took place in 3 sub counties of Wakiso district covering a population of 279 children 6 to 23 months. Multistage random sampling was used. Quantitative data was collected using interviewer administered semi structured questionnaires while qualitative data was collected using focus group interviews. Quantitative data was entered into EPI data version 3 and analysed using STATA version 12. Odds ratios, percentages and p value were obtained. P values less than 0.05 were taken to be significant. Qualitative data was analysed using content analysis method. Results; Findings showed stunting rates at 24.37%, underweight at 21.21% and wasting at 13.79%. The complementary feeding practices were good with74.19% having a good score as per the index. Some practices such as dietary diversity and quantity of food given to a child are a still a challenge. Complementary feeding practices were dependent on the employment of the family head and factors affecting meal frequency in the home.