KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES OF MOTHERS REGARDING BREASTFEEDING AND COMPLEMENTARY FEEDING

The appropriate and adequate feeding practices by mothers are important determinants in ensuring optimal health and well-being during infancy and early childhood. However, some mothers who visit public health clinics have minimal knowledge of breast- and complementary feeding. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of mothers regarding breastfeeding and weaning. A purposefully selected sample of 200 mothers with children below two years of age in the Colesberg district, Northern Cape, participated. After consent, a questionnaire on infant and early childhood feeding was completed with the assistance of a fieldworker. Anthropometrical measurements were conducted on the children, followed by a 24-hour dietary recall. The nutritional status of the children was analysed utilising the WHO Anthro Survey Analyser Tool. Microsoft Excel and IBM Social Sciences Statistics Data Editor Version 24 were used for analysis. Together with literature on infant and early childhood feeding from the WHO (2021) and the Road to Health Booklet (2018), this data was utilised to compile an intervention key ring. The findings indicated that mothers have good knowledge regarding infant feeding; however, their incorrect feeding practices do not reflect this. Significant associations between mothers' practices and the nutritional status of their children were found. Qualitative research, such as focus groups, is necessary to investigate the possible challenges and explain why mothers are not practising their knowledge obtained regarding infant feeding.