Determinants of Nutritional Practices Among Mothers with Under-Five Children is Paramount in Curbing the High Rate of Morbidities and Mortalities among Under-Five Children

Abstract

Nutritional outcomes among under-five children in Nigeria are among the worst globally. Therefore, this study investigated the determinants of nutritional practices among mothers with under-five children attending selected primary health centers in Abeokuta, Ogun state, Nigeria. The study adopted a quantitative cross-sectional descriptive survey research design. A A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 419 mothers of under-five children attending primary health centres in Abeokuta, Ogun State. All the Research questions and hypothesis were formulated and were tested using the SPSS version 27 to compute descriptive and inferential statistics which were tested at a 5% level of confidence. The result indicated that mean age of respondents in this study was 28.48 ± 5.811years with participants between the ages of 27-35 (44.6%) were the highest. High level of knowledge regarding under-five nutrition was measured on a 21-points rating scale showed a mean score of 12.65±3.61. There was good level of nutritional practices which was measured on a 17-points rating scale showed a mean score of 11.06±2.26. There was a significant difference between level of education of mother and their nutritional practice (P=0.000), there is a significant correlation between respondents’ level of knowledge (r=0.256; p=0.000). In conclusion, the study established that there is good level of knowledge of under-five nutrition; there was poor support and good level of nutritional practice. The study recommended that continued training and re-training is very important for mothers of under-five children. There is also need for active involvement of the media in dissemination of nutritional benefits of under-five children.