KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES REGARDING COMPLEMENTARY FEEDING AMONG THE MOTHERS OF CHILDREN AGED 6-24 MONTHS ATTENDING THE CHILD WELFARE CLINIC AT PILIYANDALA MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH AREA

Abstract

Complementary feeding refers to introducing safe and nutritious foods alongside breast milk at six months of age, as breast milk alone may not be sufficient for the infant. Inadequate knowledge about complementary foods and poor complementary feeding practices are more likely to cause malnutrition, stunting, delayed development, and increased susceptibility to diseases. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore knowledge, practices and factors associated with complementary feeding among the mothers of children aged 6-24 months attending the Child Welfare Clinic at Piliyandala Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 mothers who were recruited using a non-probability convenient sampling method from six Child Welfare Clinics, using a pretested self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised sociodemographic data, knowledge, and practices regarding complementary feeding, with scoring systems to categorize responses into knowledge (poor, average, good) and practices (poor, neutral, good) based on predefined ranges. One mark was allocated for each correct response in both knowledge-based questions and practice-based questions. The maximum possible scores for knowledge and practice were 23 and 24 respectively. Results indicated that the majority of the respondents (98%) portrayed a good level of knowledge (Mean score- 19.17 ± 1.72) and a good level (98%) of practice (Mean score-19.54 ± 1.63) regarding complementary feeding. A statistically significant association was observed between the mother’s age and the level of knowledge (p = 0.001), the level of practice (p= 0.001), and the level of education (p=0.033). Moreover, a moderately positive correlation was observed between knowledge and practice (rs = 0.231, p= 0.001). This shows that mothers with good knowledge showed better practices regarding complementary feeding.