Early Initiation of Complementary Feeding and Associated Factors Among Children 6-24 Months of Age in the Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra Region, Ghana

Abstract

Inadequate and inappropriate complementary feeding (CF) are the major factors contributing to excess morbidity and mortality in young children. Adequate nutrition during infancy and early childhood is fundamental to the development of each child's full growth potential. The study aimed at documenting the prevalence of early initiation of complementary feeding and associated factors among 6-24 months old children in the Ga south municipality. A cross sectional study was conducted on 419 pairs of children and mothers who were selected in 2016 for the study. Convenient sampling was used to select participants both from the child welfare clinics (CWC) and the community. The socio-demographic characteristics, breastfeeding, complementary feeding practices and Obstetric history of the mothers were taken into consideration. The relationship of time of initiation of CF and other independent variables were analysed using the chi-square test. Almost 54% of mothers introduced complementary foods to their infants at 6 months of age. However, early initiation of complementary feeding (CF) was quite high, with almost 40% of mothers introducing complementary foods before their children turned 6 months of age. Most participants accessed pre- and postnatal services at health facilities. Less than 20% introduced prelacteal feeds to their infants before discharge from health facilities after delivery. Health talks, attendance at birth, children in school and mothers occupation were significantly associated with time of initiation of complementary feeding. Family support, income status, and parity had no significant association with the time of initiation of complementary feeding. In conclusion, early initiation of complementary feeding was high. Health worker talks and skilled attendance at birth were positively associated with timely initiation of complementary feeding.