Nutrition Knowledge, Attitude, and Childcare Practices of Mothers in Kaduna South Local Government Area, Kaduna State

Abstract

Nutrition significantly impacts the different areas of human development. Appropriate nutritional knowledge, attitude, and practices are necessary to achieve a proper outcome of infant and young child feeding. This study assessed the nutrition knowledge, attitude, infant and young child feeding and childcare practices of mothers in Kaduna South Local Government Area, Kaduna State. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed. A sample size of 130 women of childbearing age that visited health centres in Kaduna South was selected using a multi-stage sampling method. Data were collected with a pre- validated questionnaire. Data were analyzed with the statistical product for service solution SPSS) version 21 using descriptive statistics. The majority (94%) of the mothers had excellent nutrition knowledge and more than half of the mothers (62.3%) had a good nutrition attitude score. About one-quarter of the mothers had poor knowledge of nutrition, attitude and childcare practice. A significant relationship existed between respondents’ occupation and their nutrition knowledge, attitude and practice (p<0.05). More so, a positive significant relationship was observed among nutrition knowledge, attitude and child-feeding practices of the mothers (p<0.05). The study concludes that many of the mothers had good knowledge and favourable attitude and practices towards young children’s nutrition and care. However, more awareness should be created by nutritionists on the importance of good infant and young child feeding practices as well as childcare practices should be undertaken.