Breastfeeding pattern and nutritional status of children under two years in Oshogbo Local Government Area Osun State Nigeria
Background This study aims to assess breastfeeding pattern among mothers and nutritional status of children under two years. Methodology The cross sectional study was carried out in Oshogbo Local Government Area, Osun State. A total of 350 nursing mothers and their children undertwo years were randomly selected systematically. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on the bio data and socioeconomic characteristics of the mothers. Breast feeding knowledge and pattern was assessed and anthropometric measurements taken. Data was subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS version 20. Results One third(32.6% of the mothers were between 26 30years of age and 40% of the children were between 7 12 months old. Only 2.6% of the mothers earned $400 per month. Most mothers (85.7% had adequate knowledge about optimal breastfeeding, 72% initiated breastfeeding more than 1hr after birth and about 72% gave prelacteal meal. About 16.4% breastfed exclusively. Only 16.6% express breast milk and the median duration for continued breastfeeding in this study was 18months. Complementary foods given to the children are mostly home prepared cereals, solids and semi solid foods. About 30.4% of the children were stunted, 25.4% were underweight and 15.3% were wasted. However 4.3% mothers were underweight, 29.1% were overweight and 2.6% were obese. Maternal age, family structure, parity and monthly income were significantly related to their knowledge of and the pattern of breastfeeding. Conclusion The practice of exclusive breastfeeding and use of expressed breast milk is poor among the mothers. Stunting was also high among the children. Key words Breastfeeding, Undertwo children, Nutritional Status, Prelacteal foods, Mothers