KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF INFANT WEANING AMONG MOTHERS IN FAITH MEDIPLEX HOSPITAL, BENIN CITY.

Abstract

Infant weaning, also known as complementary feeding, is the gradual introduction of foods and liquids other than breast milk—typically beginning at six months—to meet an infant’s increasing nutritional needs. Despite its importance, inappropriate weaning practices such as early initiation, poor dietary diversity, and reliance on low-nutrient foods remain prevalent in many Nigerian communities. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practices of infant weaning among mothers attending Ugbor primary healthcare center, Benin City. A descriptive survey design was employed, and a structured questionnaire was administered to 100 mothers selected through simple random sampling. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS v27), applying descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that 50% of mothers had moderate knowledge, 31% had high knowledge, and 19% had low knowledge of infant weaning. Most respondents (69%) displayed positive attitudes toward proper weaning; however, only 22% demonstrated good practices, while 32% had poor practices. Educational level and occupation showed significant relationships with weaning practices (p < .05). The study concludes that although most mothers are knowledgeable and have positive attitudes, actual practice remains suboptimal. It recommends continuous health education, family support, and culturally sensitive counselling by nurses to promote appropriate infant weaning and improve child health outcomes. Keywords: Infant, Weaning, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Mothers.

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Resource ID

urn:uuid:34462aca-c6d8-43f3-8b5f-f27ca2f04ee3