ASSESSMENT OF OPTIMAL CHILD FEEDING PRACTICES AMONG INDEX MOTHER OF UNDER TWO CHILDREN, IN WORABE COMPREHENSIVE SPECIALISED HOSPITAL, SOUTH ETHIOPIA.

Abstract

Background: - An appropriate child feeding practices from early infancy and Childhood is Crucial for growth and health of Childhood. Gradually early nutritional deficits are linked to impairments in intellectual performance, work capacity, reproductive outcomes, and overall health during adolescence and adulthood. Breastfeeding can avert the major causes of neonatal death such as sepsis, acute respiratory tract infections, meningitis, and diarrhea. Breast feeding is declining in almost all parts of the world despite its nutritional and immunologic benefits. For this reason, it is important to develop practical measures to improve infant and young Child feeding practice. Objectives: - to assess child feeding practices of index mother of under two children. Method: - an institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 20-october 22, 2021 in WCSH, which is located 170km far from south of Addis Ababa. The study populations was all index mother who have under two years children available at WCSH, pediatric ward during study period. The study was conducted on about 180 index mothers with child less than two years old who was obtained by systemic random sampling technique and a sample group was obtained by interval way. Data was collected by using semi structured questionnaire including both open ended and close ended questions. Results: - Regard to initiation of breast feeding about 120 (66.7%) initiated breast feeding within one hour of giving birth. Concerning to pre-lacteal feeding, about 14 (7.8%) of mothers gave pre lacteal feeds to new born, water and butter being the most common pre-lacteal feeds accounting 4.4% and the majority 9(5%) gave by thinking that it is important for health of child. About 63.8% of mothers exclusively breast fed their babies for first 6 months and about 62.7 %(113) has an intention to continue breast feeding for two or more years. Conclusions and recommendations: -Generally, initiation of breast feeding within one hour of giving birth is nearly universal in study population, it is preceded with pre-lacteal feeds like butter, water, in small amount of mothers or respondents. Almost all study population has practice of feeding colostrum for their new born. The majority of study population has an intention of breast feeding for two or more years, the prevalence of exclusive breast feeding and timely introduction of complementary feeding is low