Infants' Nutritional Status in Relation to their Mothers' Knowledge about Feeding and Weaning Practices in Zagazig City

Background: The nutritional status of the infants depends on the feeding practices in the community. Lack of knowledge about balanced diet is a leading cause of primary malnutrition. The aim of the present study was to determine the mothers' knowledge regarding breast-feeding, weaning and follow-up practices in relation to their infants' nutritional status and to find out socio-economic correlates of mothers' feeding and weaning practices in Zagazig City. Subject & Methods: Research design: A descriptive and exploratory study was done. The study subjects included 200 mothers with their infants aged 6-18 months who fulfilled the selected criteria. Setting: Study was conducted at two maternal and child health centers at Zagazig City (Zagazig MCH ,and Sheba MCH). Tools of data collection: A questionnaire sheet was used to collect data include (a) socio-demographic data, (b) mother's knowledge about breast-feeding, weaning and follow-up practices, (c) infants' anthropometric measurements and (d) clinical assessment of the infants' malnutrition signs. Results indicated that 48% of the mothers initiated breast-feeding within one hour after birth. 57% practiced exclusive breastfeeding, and 71% had introduced liquid diet as first weaning food and 43% of them started weaning food when their infants reached 4-6 months age. 86% of mothers checked their infants' weight for age. The Pearson Correlation showed that weight for age (r= .347**), height for age (r= .750**) and height for weight (r= .560**) among the infants. The study reported significant relation between mothers' education and their knowledge about infants feeding and weaning practices. The study concluded that mothers' knowledge regarding breast-feeding, weaning and follow - up practices had significant effect on improving infants’ nutritional-status outcome. The study recommended that conducting educational program for mothers regarding importance of good feeding and weaning practices at maternal and child health centers and healthy communication through mass media to promote mothers' knowledge about feeding and weaning practices.